Republican lawmakers urge WNBA commissioner to up player safety of Caitlin Clark
Eleven lawmakers say the league has failed to curb repeated physical play and online threats, and they want answers by July 24.
- On Wednesday, 11 Republican lawmakers led by Texas Rep. August Pfluger sent a letter to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert demanding 'accountability' for 'multiple attacks' against Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark.
- The scrutiny follows a June 24 game where Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas made contact with Clark's throat, resulting in a flagrant-2 foul and one-game suspension for acting 'recklessly.'
- Signatories requested answers by July 24 regarding the league's review process for 'physical hostility and violence on the court,' warning they would support federal investigations by the DOJ or EEOC if Commissioner fails to act.
- The Fever stated they were 'unaware of the letter,' while Clark told reporters on July 3 that 'harassment, hate, none of that is OK,' emphasizing her focus on the game's joy.
- Beyond physical incidents, players ranked Clark 11th in All-Star voting, prompting retired WNBA legend Candace Parker to criticize the decision as reflecting 'insecurities' rather than objective talent assessment.
119 Articles
119 Articles
Dear Congressional Republicans: Your letter to the WNBA isn’t helping anyone
LOS ANGELES — Dear Members of the Republican Study Committee,I cover the WNBA for the Chicago Sun-Times. This morning, during my daily women’s basketball news sweep, I came across your letter to Commissioner Cathy Engelbert about Caitlin Clark.You begin by stating the obvious: Clark's immense popularity has been good for league business.You also acknowledge, in a twisted and disingenuous way, something many players and league stakeholders agree …
GOP puts WNBA 'on notice' after recent treatment of star player Caitlin Clark
House Republican Study Committee members sent a letter to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Englebert claiming that the league has not consistently addressed physical contact involving Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark.
Caitlin Clark debate rages on as WNBA must deal with physical play
INDIANAPOLIS — Conversations about whether Caitlin Clark is getting officiated fairly in the WNBA can be polarizing as fans, players, coaches, pundits and even lawmakers have opinions about whether the league needs to take some action about the physical play.
GOP Lawmakers Demand WNBA Answer for 'Attacks' on Caitlin Clark | EURweb | Black News, Culture, Entertainment & More
Caitlin Clark (Getty Images via CNN Newsource) *Congress is now weighing in on Caitlin Clark’s rough treatment in the WNBA. Eleven Republican lawmakers fired off a letter to commissioner Cathy Engelbert demanding the league answer for “multiple attacks” on the Indiana Fever guard, ESPN reports. The push, led by Texas Rep. August Pfluger, follows a June 24 game in Indianapolis. Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas struck Clark in the throat duri…
Lawmakers Warn WNBA of Possible Federal Investigation Over Treatment of Caitlin Clark
A group of 11 lawmakers warned the WNBA that it could face federal investigation over the treatment of Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark. In its July 7 letter to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, publicized by the Republican Study Committee the following day on X, the lawmakers said that Clark has been “transforming women’s sports” and “has inspired a new generation of young girls to participate in athletics and has become one of the most i…
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