Katie Douglas on GOP calls to protect Caitlin Clark
Former WNBA star Katie Douglas emphasizes the need for change, pointing out the increased physicality Clark faces and distinguishing fouls from normal contact. Her comments follow the House GOP’s call for the WNBA to intervene to protect the star player.
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When Alyssa Thomas put her fist to Caitlin Clark’s throat, she was not punished immediately afterward.
She ultimately received a one-game suspension and a flagrant 2 foul after the WNBA conducted a review, but apparently that almost wasn’t the case.
According to the Sports Business Journal, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert was not planning to suspend Thomas, but was eventually convinced by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
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Caitlin Clark watches the action during the Indiana Fever’s highly anticipated matchup against the Las Vegas Aces. (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images) ((Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images))
Engelbert was reportedly concerned that a suspension for a play that was not called on the court would be too harsh a penalty. However, Silver said there was evidence of a flagrant foul and implored Engelbert to hand down the punishment.
The outlet reported that the league was operating under the usual protocols for potential flagrant fouls. However, he also said that Engelbert does not want to show favoritism toward Clark because of her popularity while also trying to “appease players who believe they have been overshadowed by” her. On the other hand, SBJ said Engelbert has not been to an Indiana Fever game since Clark was drafted.
The WNBA told SBJ the report is “absolutely false”: No league immediately responded to an email from Pak Gazette Digital.
HOST CLAIMS WNBA COMMISSIONER CATHY ENGELBERT CANCELLED INTERVIEW AS CAITLIN CLARK CONTROVERSY INCREASES
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks during a press conference ahead of the 2019 NBA Japan Games. (KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images)
Silver told reporters Tuesday that they will “have ongoing discussions about what the future looks like” regarding Engelbert’s role in the WNBA.
“I think Cathy continues to do a great job building that league,” Silver said, citing her “tremendous progress.”
Clark has been the victim of numerous hard fouls and boastful trash talk while being the clear face of the league. The Thomas incident prompted Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., to join a group of lawmakers in writing a letter to Engelbert, saying she has a responsibility to ensure every player competes “in a safe and professional environment.”
The letter said “the face of your league” is subject to “repeated acts of unnecessary physical hostility and violence.” He concluded by urging the league to take stronger action.
“The league has an extraordinary opportunity to inspire the next generation of female athletes to pursue athletics, but that opportunity is undermined when its brightest stars are not adequately protected,” the letter reads. “Your fans deserve better, as do the young women who see the WNBA as a model of excellence, sportsmanship and opportunity.”
Connecticut Sun forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa (10) fouls Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) in the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
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Clark recently attacked the WNBA, saying it needs to do a better job of protecting its players both on and off the court. Thomas said he received death threats after the offense.
