NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated Thursday that Caitlin Clark has been unfairly turned into a 'political football' amid ongoing debates about officiating and physical play in the WNBA. The comments came in response to a controversial play involving Clark and Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas.
Silver's Remarks at Game Plan Summit
Speaking at the Game Plan Summit presented by CNBC and Boardroom, Silver said, 'Ultimately, the issues around Caitlin Clark are not largely about officiating, and that particular incident is not about whether a foul should have been called at the time in the game or whether that was ultimately a flagrant on review.' He emphasized that Clark, whom he described as an incredible player and person, wants to focus on improving her game but has become a political symbol.
'She has become a bit of a political football in this country, and I think it's incredibly unfair to her. It's become political ping-pong with her. And she's a young woman who's trying to improve her game,' Silver added.
The Incident and Its Aftermath
The play in question occurred during a June 24 game between the Indiana Fever and Phoenix Mercury, when Thomas made contact with her fist to Clark's throat in the second quarter. No foul was called during the game, but the league later upgraded it to a flagrant foul and suspended Thomas for one game for 'recklessly making contact with her fist.' Thomas said the play was accidental and revealed she received death threats and racial slurs after the incident, criticizing WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert for not doing more to protect players.
Clark earlier this month condemned the harassment and hate, stating, 'None of that is OK. That goes for the opposing teams we play, that goes for my teammates, that goes for my coaches.' Fever coach Stephanie White also condemned the tone of the discussion, noting an increase in 'toxicity, racism, homophobia' and other hateful comments online.
Silver Declines to Comment on Suspension Report
Silver declined to comment on a Sports Business Journal report that he persuaded Engelbert to suspend Thomas, calling it unfair to Engelbert and Clark. The WNBA denied the report, calling it 'absolutely false.' Silver reiterated that the larger issue is not about the flagrant foul itself, saying, 'What people are trying to make a larger issue [about] is not [whether] that was a flagrant foul or not.' He acknowledged that WNBA officiating needs improvement, stating, 'Do we need to improve WNBA officiating? No doubt about it.'
