Renee Montgomery, a former WNBA All-Star and the 2012 Sixth Woman of the Year, has left a lasting mark on the league. Standing at 5-foot-7, the two-time champion has transitioned into a leadership role as vice president and part-owner of the Atlanta Dream, continuing to shape the future of women’s basketball.
Given her influential presence, Montgomery’s voice carries weight, and when she speaks, people listen. On a recent episode of her podcast, *Montgomery & Company*, the former No. 4 overall pick launched a passionate critique aimed at a certain group of Caitlin Clark fans. According to Montgomery, the inappropriate actions of some “stans” of the Indiana Fever star are completely unacceptable in the WNBA.
“This group cannot be a representation of what the WNBA would want in their league,” Montgomery asserted. “This is our league… That ain’t a representation of us. Y’all not like us. They not like us, okay?”
Former WNBA player Renee Montgomery arrives on the red carpet before the 2023 ESPYS.
Montgomery expressed that, in her view, there’s nothing inherently wrong with fanbases disliking one another. In fact, she sees it as a natural part of the intense rivalry between teams and their fans.
However, she made it clear that certain Caitlin Clark supporters, or “stans,” have crossed a line.
“For example, a hardcore Atlanta Falcons fan might despise the New Orleans Saints,” Montgomery explained. “But it’s way too far if they were to create inappropriate AI-generated images of Saints players and send them to their families. That’s exactly what some Clark stans have done to Angel Reese.”
She continued, “It’s fine to have a bit of hate in sports—that’s part of the fun. I love when our fans are so passionate that they just can’t stand the other team. But when it turns racist, sexist, or violent, we have to ask ourselves, what are we doing? That’s just unacceptable.”
Montgomery made it clear that she has nothing against Clark. In fact, she even stated that she believes the rookie sensation has exceeded the massive expectations everyone had on her before she entered the WNBA. Montgomery’s problem lies solely with her out-of-control fans.
“Something sinister is happening online with Caitlin’s fanbase and these stans that need to be addressed,” she said. “So all I’m saying is, sports hate is okay. It’s acceptable. It’s actually welcome. We love the passionate fans. But some of y’all, y’all are taking it too far, man. Do better.”
