A group of GOP representatives has seen enough fouls on Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark.
Rep. August Pfluger of Texas, along with 10 other Republicans, sent a letter to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert on Wednesday demanding “accountability.”
Clark, a third-year player who is widely credited with sparking the WNBA’s surging viewership, has been the recipient of several hard fouls this season. National debates erupted after Phoenix Mercury guard Alyssa Thomas appeared to punch Clark in the throat during a game on June 24.
Clark ultimately left that game with a back injury, only returning to play on Wednesday.
The lawmakers expressed concern that the Fever star is experiencing an unfair number of fouls in “attacks [that] may be racially motivated.”
Clark, who is White, has had several high-profile altercations with the WNBA’s Black players, including Thomas and Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese.
“Clark has been hip-checked, poked in the eye, and struck in the throat during games. These incidents go far beyond routine physical play, yet the WNBA and its officiating have too often failed to address these unacceptable incidents and hold players accountable,” Mr. Pfluger wrote, noting that he’d support an investigation into a hostile workplace environment.
The letter claimed that the WNBA has failed to address fouls against Clark. However, Thomas was suspended for one game for contact with Clark.
“Caitlin Clark has made Hoosiers proud and inspired countless young girls across the nation to believe they belong on the court,” Rep. Victoria Spartz of Indiana wrote. “The WNBA has a responsibility to ensure every player competes in a fair and safe environment, and its actions — not just its words — must reflect that.”
ESPN commentator Dick Vitale shared a similar sentiment on social media.
“Absolutely makes ’No Sense’ that [Clark] is targeted in such a negative way by many of her peers,” the longtime basketball analyst wrote on X. “She should be treated like ROYALTY for what she has done for the WNBA.”
Clark enjoys a rabid fan base that has been wildly protective of the 24-year-old. After last month’s on-court skirmish, fans sent death threats and racial slurs to Thomas.
“Now we’re being painted as thugs. There’s death threats out on us. It’s really unacceptable,” Thomas told reporters last month. “It’s something that needs to change in this league, and I’m just really sick and tired of it.”
While the lawmakers were concerned that Ms. Engelbert and the WNBA weren’t doing enough to protect Clark, other players said the league was disappointing them, too.
“People are sending racial slurs and all types of stuff,” Thomas said. “There’s a difference between trolling and there’s a difference between hatred. The hatred that we’re experiencing over a play that, honestly, was a complete accident, no one even knew it happened. It’s just unfortunate. The league has to do better in this instance.”
The league eventually issued a statement in June noting that it “vehemently condemns any and all forms of hate.”
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