The WNBA did not pull its punches in addressing Gilbert Arenas’ comments about the league, calling the former NBA guard’s words “repugnant, utterly disrespectful and flat-out wrong.”
WNBA/NBA Statement Regarding Gilbert Arenas' Comments pic.twitter.com/yZ8Nga6weZ
— WNBA (@WNBA) December 16, 2015
On Tuesday, Arenas posted to Instagram a video of women in their underwear playing basketball (truly no reason to link or embed it here) with the following caption:
NOW this is what america was hoping for when they announced the #WNBA back in 1996… not a bunch of chicks running around looking like,cast members from #orangeisthenewblack…dont get me wrong,they have few #cutiepies but theres a whole alotta #beanpies running around hahahahahaha if #skylardiggins came out like this,I dont care if she missed every layup..imma buy season tickets and I dont even know where the fuck #tulsa is hahahaha #2016newwnbaoutfitPLS and if u think this is sexist,9 times out of 10 u the ugly one and we didnt pay to come see u play anyway #donkeykong…smdh #thiswillbeawesome#soldouteverywhere
In addition to the WNBA’s harshly worded statement condemning Arenas, numerous individual players tweeted their disapproval, including stars like the New York Liberty’s Swin Cash and the Chicago Sky’s Elena Della Donne. Players criticized Arenas’ comments and also poked fun at his lack of an NBA job.
People keep sending me this Gilbert arenas post, but I don't care! He obviously needs a hug& attention so y'all give it to him! 💁🏽
— Swin Cash (@SwinCash) December 16, 2015
To all my smart, beautiful young female ballers… No one ever asked NBA guys to hoop in a speedo so laugh at haters& Dab on dem folk💪🏾
— Swin Cash (@SwinCash) December 16, 2015
Sorry loves but we are at war trying to save our young girls from a lot of social media shaming & I am not here for it! Gotta run be great💋
— Swin Cash (@SwinCash) December 16, 2015
#ByeGilbert pic.twitter.com/USJprEq4LY
— Elena Delle Donne (@De11eDonne) December 16, 2015
What I just read from Gilbert Arenas is absolutely disgusting & I'm ashamed that ppl are agreeing and laughing at it! #growup #hemakesmesick
— stefanie dolson (@bigmamastef) December 16, 2015
Home from practice and people sending me what Gilbert Arenas said about the wnba he's a non ________ factor who cares he's a str8 up lame
— Ivory Latta (@IvoryLatta12) December 16, 2015
That clearly wants y'all attention. So y'all please entertain that BeanPie looking dude. He's not even worth our time
— Ivory Latta (@IvoryLatta12) December 16, 2015
Lost all respect for Gilbert…..smh.
— BIG PENDER (@Ajavon2you2) December 16, 2015
Hey Gilbert, instead of worrying about who we sleep with, what we wear, and our appearance ask yourself why you can't get a job!
— Kelsey Bone (@kelseybone3) December 16, 2015
You want us to take our clothes off and we didn't want you to be ignorant & take guns to work…
— Kelsey Bone (@kelseybone3) December 16, 2015
Looks like we didn't get what we wanted so neither will you…
— Kelsey Bone (@kelseybone3) December 16, 2015
@SwishAppeal @NBA @WNBA you should put former in all caps to emphasize his irrelevance.
— Devereaux *casual fan* Peters (@MsPeters14) December 16, 2015
As Sports Illustrated points out, this is not the first time Arenas has posted something deeply misogynistic on Instagram. In fact, he was at it again today, expressing shock at the outrage over his original post and doubling down on its distasteful message.
The fact that Arenas cannot see the problem with expecting female athletes to sell sex while male athletes sell athletic ability suggests he has a problem with not only misogyny but also intellect. We’ll go out on a limb and say it’s probably unlikely we’ll see Arenas back on a NBA roster ever again although given his checkered past we probably haven’t heard the last of Gilbert in the news.