Every Indiana Fever game against the Chicago Sky comes with its controversies. And how could it have been different on Friday? In the matchup, the Sky’s Diamond DeShields committed a flagrant foul 1 against Caitlin Clark. When there were just 3:52 seconds left in the fourth quarter with the Fever leading by a 96-71 margin, Aliyah Boston gave a pass to Clark who was on a fast break. Deshields, in order to catch up with the Fever rookie, ran after her, lowering her shoulder and giving her a push. Thus, Clark fell on the hardwood. Though the referee sorted things out on the court by giving a flagrant foul, the Chicago Sun-Times carried a rather contrasting back page photo and the headline. This earned a lot of flak from DeShields’ supporters and now, the reporter has voiced her stance.

“Objective journalism — specifically in women’s sports IMO — is paramount. I am not a fan of ANY TEAM I COVER. I am perfectly comfortable with people disliking my takes or having an opinion that I’m too harsh. I am not ok with anyone getting the idea that I condone hate, rac–m,” Costabile tweeted through her X account on Saturday. The heading carried by Sun-Times reported that “Sky send Clark to the floor again- this time it’s Deshields- but Fever show who’s boss with rout.”

Costabile came forward to justify her stand because after the game the Chicago Sun-Times had a cover in which Diamond DeShields was seen smiling as Clark fell to the ground. Furthermore, Costabile had written an article announcing that the Sky was faltering while the Fever was on its way to the playoffs. All this didn’t apparently go down well with Chicago fans especially since it was coming from a Chicago-based reporter.

“I do not choose headlines or back page photos for the Sun-Times,” Costabile wrote in her justification. Furthermore, she added that Chicago’s lack of composure could be seen in “Diamond’s foul,” which is why it was referenced in her story. She also enumerated that her coverage was “unbiased” and going forward, she will continue covering flagrant fouls since they “are part of basketball.” 

Another accusation leveled against Costabile by fans was that she knew that Clark’s admirers were targeting DeShields. Hence, she took the opportunity to add fuel to the fire by choosing a particular picture just so as to cater to a larger fan following instead of pleasing her Chicago fans. Costabile expounded, “The idea that I saw any type of harassment Diamond was receiving and then made a calculated headline/photo decision is utterly false.” However, that would barely undo the hate faced by DeShields.

Indiana fans slam Diamond DeShields

“Let’s hope that tumor comes back and takes her out next time!” a Diamond DeShields’ hater had commented the same on multiple posts on her social media networking platform Instagram profile. While playing in Turkey in 2019, DeShields was a victim of a back injury. The MRI revealed that the Florida-born had a tumor in her spine which could lead to lifelong paralysis. The next step? Surgery was done to remove the tumor after which DeShields started suffering from spasms and tremors. But, she did not let that define her.

Instead, focussing on her rehabilitation, DeShields continued to fight while keeping it all private. The end result? She returned to play in the 2020 season. Thus, when DeShields received hate comments for her tumor, the 29-year-old posted it on her Instagram stories while captioning it, “Thank you God for covering me, I pray u cover those who wish harm unto me as well.”

Hopefully, DeShields with her behavior might clear the air and show that her foul was just a part of the game. Meanwhile, Costabile too wouldn’t want to receive hate from fans. Much like DeShields, she too will be able to justify her article.