Shocking Dismissal: Lynx Fire Coach Cheryl Reeve Amid Charlie Kirk Assassination Backlash..
In a stunning turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the WNBA, the Minnesota Lynx announced the abrupt firing of head coach Cheryl Reeve on Saturday, just days after the controversial assassination of conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk. The move, which blindsided fans and players alike, stems from a series of inflammatory X posts by Reeve that appeared to celebrate Kirk’s death, igniting a firestorm of outrage across social media and beyond.
Reeve, 58, has been the architect of Lynx dominance for over a decade, leading the team to four championships (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017) and earning WNBA Coach of the Year honors four times, most recently in 2024. Under her guidance, the Lynx posted a franchise-record 30-10 mark last season, clinching the No. 2 playoff seed and advancing to the Finals before a heartbreaking overtime loss to the New York Liberty. This year, with the 2025 campaign in full swing, Minnesota sat atop the Western Conference at 22-8, boasting a stifling defense anchored by stars Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride. Reeve’s dual role as President of Basketball Operations had solidified her as a franchise cornerstone, with many eyeing a fifth title run.
But the Lynx’s statement shattered that legacy. “We have parted ways with Coach Cheryl Reeve effective immediately,” it read. “Her recent social media activity, including comments regarding the tragic events surrounding Charlie Kirk, does not represent the views of the Minnesota Lynx organization. We stand against all forms of violence and promote unity in our community.” The post cut off mid-sentence in drafts circulating online, but the message was clear: Reeve’s words crossed an unforgivable line.
The controversy erupted on September 10, when Kirk, 31, the founder of Turning Point USA and a vocal Trump ally, was fatally shot during a debate event in Provo, Utah. Authorities arrested suspect Tyler Robinson after a 33-hour manhunt, charging him with aggravated murder.<grok:render Kirk’s widow, Erika, delivered a tearful eulogy on Friday, vowing to carry on his legacy of “patriotism, faith, and God’s merciful The killing, described by Gov. Tim Walz as part of a surge in “targeted political violence,”
echoed earlier Minnesota tragedies, including the June shooting deaths of state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband.Hours after news broke, Reeve fired off a now-deleted X thread: “Hate speech has consequences. Charlie Kirk reaped what he sowed—zero tears here. #Justice. A follow-up post read: “In a world drowning in division, sometimes the universe corrects itself. RIP to the rhetoric.
The posts, viewed over 500,000 times before deletion, drew swift condemnation from conservative influencers and Lynx sponsors, including Target Corp., which issued a terse statement distancing itself from “hate in any form.”
Reeve attempted damage control with an apology later that evening: “My words were born of frustration with toxic discourse, not endorsement of violence. I regret the pain caused and am committed to dialogue.” But it was too late. By Friday, #FireReeve trended nationwide, amplified by Kirk’s allies like Tucker Carlson, who called her remarks “a symptom of leftist bloodlust.
The Lynx front office, facing mounting pressure, convened an emergency meeting Friday night. Sources close to the team say ownership weighed the PR fallout against Reeve’s track record but prioritized “brand integrity” in a polarized climate. “This isn’t just about politics—it’s about protecting our players and fans,” one executive told ESPN.
Players reacted with a mix of shock and sorrow. Collier, Reeve’s on-court protégé, posted a cryptic Instagram story: “Heartbroken. Leadership isn’t easy, but family is forever.” McBride echoed the sentiment in a team huddle, per insiders, urging unity as the Lynx prepare for Sunday’s matchup against the Sparks.
Reeve’s dismissal adds to a grim tally of fallout from Kirk’s death. A Minnetonka teacher was placed on leave for posting “Yay! I hope he’s dead, while a Carolina Panthers staffer was ad for similar insensitivity.
Critics decry a “cancel culture double standard,” noting leniency for right-wing provocations, but defenders argue Kirk’s shooting demands zero tolerance for glee.
As the Lynx scramble for an interim coach—assistants Rebekkah Brunson and Walt Hopkins are frontrunners—the WNBA grapples with deeper rifts. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert scheduled a league-wide address on sensitivity training, but questions linger: Can Minnesota rebound without its iron-fisted leader? And in America’s fractured arena, where does sports end and politics begins
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