Caitlin Clark Fan Ejected from Fever Game Was Actually an Off-Duty Cop
A courtside incident involving a Caitlin Clark fan at Fever-Sun WNBA game has taken a surprising twist.
During the July 15 matchup between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun at TD Garden in Boston, a man wearing a Caitlin Clark shirt was ejected from the arena after allegedly making an inappropriate remark toward Sun guard Saniya Rivers. The fan, who was seated courtside, drew the attention of officials and security following the exchange, and was removed during the second quarter.
Now, the man has been identified as Officer William Reilly, an off-duty member of the Bridgeport Police Department. The department confirmed his identity but stated that no formal misconduct complaints have been filed.
“Officer Reilly was off-duty and there are no formal misconduct complaints at this time,” said department spokesperson Scott Porter, via The Connecticut Post.
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Union Defends Officer, Rivers Stands Firm
Following the game, the Bridgeport police union defended Reilly’s actions. Union president Michael Salemme III described the situation as “innocent fun.”
“He spent a lot of money for courtside seats and should not have been ejected,” Salemme said. “I support my member having innocent fun off-duty.”
Meanwhile, Saniya Rivers chose not to detail what was said but made it clear she wasn’t tolerating it.
“I’m not taking any form of disrespect,” Saniya Rivers told reporters. “So if it’s a form of a threat, whatever it is, you’re out of there.”
Fans in the arena appeared to support her stance, with many applauding and even mocking the man as he was escorted out.
WNBA Doubles Down on Fan Conduct Rules
The WNBA has emphasized its ongoing commitment to safe and respectful environments. Its “No Space for Hate” campaign aligns with the league’s fan code of conduct, which clearly states that abusive or inappropriate language can lead to immediate ejection and potential legal consequences.
Officer Reilly has not issued a public comment as of yet. The league has also not indicated whether further disciplinary or investigative action will be taken.
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