WNBA admits security in Atlanta was wrong to make fans cover shirts at Dream-Fever game

"The WNBA is aware of interactions at last night's game in Atlanta in which fans were asked by league security to cover their shirts," a WNBA spokesperson said in a statement provided to OutKick. "This should not have happened."

The Dream also responded Monday, distancing the organization from the security decision and placing responsibility with the league.

"The Atlanta Dream believes in creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. Unfortunately, at last night's game, WNBA security took actions that fell short of that standard. At no point was Dream personnel involved in the decisions made by WNBA security," the team said.

The Dream also pointed to the WNBA's statement acknowledging that the fans should not have been asked to cover their shirts.

The WNBA's admission is as damning as it is simple: its own security forced paying fans to cover shirts supporting women's sports.

They wore them for four quarters without issue. Then, in overtime, Kasey said a fan complained and security issued an ultimatum: cover up with Dream shirts or get tossed.

"Biology and science is offensive?" Kasey recalled responding. To watch the conclusion, they reluctantly put on the Dream shirts.

The WNBA admitted security crossed the line. But that only raises a bigger question: How did a women's basketball league reach the point where stating biological reality became grounds for security intervention?

State Farm Arena policy prohibits clothing displaying explicit language, profanity or derogatory characterizations, while the NBA Fan Code of Conduct prohibits obscene or indecent messages on clothing.

According to Kasey, security cited neither policy, instead telling the pair their shirts were "offensive."

That's the larger problem for the WNBA: its identity crisis over women's sports just got uglier, with league security now going after fans for defending them.

Forcing fans to cover XX-XY shirts wasn't merely a questionable judgment call. By the WNBA's own admission, it crossed the line.

"This should not have happened."

OutKick has requested additional comment from the WNBA on why security ordered the fans to cover their shirts, what policy they were believed to have violated and whether the league is investigating the incident.