Republicans Call for WNBA Accountability After Alleged Attack on Caitlin Clark
At least 11 US Republican lawmakers are urging the WNBA to address the “multiple attacks” on Indiana Fever player Caitlin Clark. Led by Rep. August Pflueger (R-Texas), the letter, which was made public on Wednesday, asks WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to investigate the alleged “unnecessary physical hostility and violence” directed towards Clark.
This follows an incident where Phoenix Mercury player Alyssa Thomas reportedly punched Clark in the throat during a play. Reports detail that Thomas kneed Clark in the groin multiple times while she was on the ground, even after Clark had passed the ball and there was no ongoing play. To complicate matters, Thomas also shoved her fist into Clark’s neck as she got back up and kicked Clark’s leg shortly after.
Clark ended up leaving the game due to a back injury, though it’s uncertain if Thomas was responsible. After the match, the Phoenix Mercury made a controversial post featuring a stick figure and a caption that read, “I want a piece of this?!?” which sparked backlash from fans before the team removed it.
In their letter to Engelbert, the Republican representatives expressed concern that the attack on Clark might have had a racial motive. “As commissioner, you hold the responsibility to ensure all athletes compete in a safe and professional environment, free from violence, discrimination, and retaliation, both on and off the court,” they stated. “If these claims are accurate, such actions could breach federal civil rights laws, warranting investigations by the Department of Justice, Labor, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.”
The lawmakers set a deadline of July 24 for Engelbert and the WNBA to respond. Pfluger mentioned, “I led my colleagues to hold them accountable,” addressing the series of attacks on Clark, who is making strides in women’s sports and motivating young girls to engage in athletics. He cautioned that if this violent behavior continues unaddressed, the league might face enforcement actions for violating federal civil rights laws.
In a response, the Indiana Fever stated that they had not been informed of the letter prior to its release. “Neither our organization nor Caitlin had any contact with this parliamentary group and were unaware of their letter,” the Fever commented. They emphasized their commitment to player safety, stating that both players and fans know their stance on the issue and that they will maintain high standards within the league.
