After WNBA star Kaitlyn Clark was viciously fouled by another player, Republican Congressman Jim Banks wrote a letter to the WNBA commissioner asking what steps the league was taking to curb “excessive physical aggression” against players.
The Indiana Statesman sent a letter to Commissioner Cathy Engelbert saying they have watched Clark’s team, the Indiana Fever, with “respect” since he was drafted into the league with the No. 1 overall pick in 2024.
He said “as a father,” he is pleased that his three daughters have become increasingly interested in watching the WNBA.
The congressman then said Clark “broke women’s basketball game and viewership records.”
“Unfortunately, since joining the WNBA, Clark’s exceptionalism has been met with resentment and repeated attacks from her fellow players,” Banks wrote. Out kick.
“What steps has the WNBA taken to curb excessive physical aggression toward certain players?”
Banks noted that teammate Angel Reese was “visibly cheering” when Chicago Sky player Chennedy Carter body-catched Clark to the floor.
Reese was fined $1,000 by the WNBA for refusing to answer reporters’ questions after the game, the team was fined $5,000 for violating media relations rules, and Carter’s foul was upgraded from a regular to a flagrant foul.
The Chicago Tribune even went so far as to say that the foul amounted to “assault” if it had been committed “outside of athletic competition.”
Banks then wrote an article discussing whether the individual player or the Chicago Sky team should face further disciplinary action for the foul.
“Indiana is a basketball state, and we don’t flinch from aggressive defense, but this was not an example of ‘tough’ play, it was despicable conduct that could have led to injury and should not be tolerated. The foul has been retroactively upgraded to a flagrant foul, but there does not appear to be any further punishment for Carter or the Chicago Sky organization beyond the fine associated with missing post-game media availability.”
The Republican also suggested the WNBA “refuses to hold hostile players accountable,” calling it a “disservice” to millions of female viewers who aspire to play in the league.
He then posed four questions to the WNBA commissioner.
• “What steps has the WNBA taken to curb excessive physical aggression toward certain players?”
• “Can organizations be held liable if they allow athletes with a history of violence to physically attack competitors?”
• “Do you think it’s beneficial to the overall success of the league for WNBA players to repeatedly belittle the talents of their fellow players?”
• “Do you think it’s inspiring for young female athletes to see someone like Indiana University’s Caitlin Clark being targeted physically in order to be successful?”
The congressman then thanked the commissioner for his efforts in developing women’s basketball.
As of this writing, neither the WNBA nor its commissioner have responded publicly.
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