Katie Douglas on House GOP calls to protect Caitlin Clark
Former WNBA star Katie Douglas highlights the need for change, noting the increased physicality Clark faces and distinguishing fouls from normal contact. His comments follow the House GOP’s call for intervention by the WNBA to protect the star player.
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When Alyssa Thomas put a fist to Caitlin Clark’s throat, she wasn’t punished immediately.
She was ultimately handed a 1-game suspension and 2 flagrant fouls after the WNBA conducted a review, but that apparently almost wasn’t the case.
According to the Sports Business Journal, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert did not intend to suspend Thomas, but was ultimately convinced by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
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Caitlin Clark watches the action during the Indiana Fever’s highly anticipated game against the Las Vegas Aces. (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images) ((Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images))
Engelbert reportedly feared that a suspension for a play that was not called on the field would be too harsh a penalty. However, Silver said there was evidence of blatant misconduct and implored Engelbert to hand down the punishment.
The outlet reported that the league was operating under usual protocols for potential egregious fouls. However, he also said that Engelbert did not want to show favoritism toward Clark because of her popularity while trying to “appease players who believe they have been overshadowed by” her. On the other hand, the SBJ said Engelbert had not attended an Indiana Fever game since Clark was drafted.
The WNBA told SBJ the report was “absolutely false” — neither league immediately responded to an email from PK Press Club Digital.
HOST CLAIMS WNBA COMMISSIONER CATHY ENGELBERT CANCELED INTERVIEW AS CAITLIN CLARK CONTROVERSY RISES
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 solid job building this league,” Silver said, citing her “tremendous progress.”
Clark was the victim of numerous serious fouls and boastful comments while being the clear face of the league. 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 states that “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 compromised when its brightest stars are not adequately protected,” the letter read. “Your fans deserve better, and so do the young girls who look to 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 lashed out at the WNBA, saying it needs to do a better job of protecting its players on and off the court. Thomas said she received death threats after the misconduct.
