Katie Douglas on the House GOP calls for protecting Caitlin Clark
Former WNBA All-star Katie Douglas emphasizes the need for change, noting the increased physicality Clark faces and distinguishing fouls from normal contact. Her comments follow the House GOP’s call for WNBA intervention to protect the star player.
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When Alyssa Thomas put her fist to the throat of Caitlin Clark, she was not punished immediately afterwards.
She ultimately received a one-game suspension and a flagrant 2 foul after the WNBA conducted a review, but apparently that almost wasn’t the case.
According to the Sports Business Journal, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert had no plans to suspend Thomas, but was ultimately persuaded by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
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Caitlin Clark watches the action during the Indiana Fever’s highly anticipated matchup with the Las Vegas Aces. (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images) ((Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images))
Engelbert was reportedly concerned that an ejection for a play that was not called on the field was too harsh a punishment. However, Silver said there were signs of a clear foul and pleaded with Engelbert to hand out the penalty.
The outlet reported that the league was operating under usual protocols for potential flagrant violations. But it also said Engelbert doesn’t want to show favoritism to Clark because of her popularity, while also trying to “appease players who think they’ve been overshadowed” by her. On the other hand, SBJ said Engelbert hasn’t been to an Indiana Fever game since Clark was drafted.
The WNBA told SBJ the report is “absolutely false” — neither league immediately responded to an email from Pakinomist Digital.
HOST DEMANDS WNBA COMMISSIONER CATHY ENGELBERT CANCEL INTERVIEW AS CAITLIN CLARK CONTROVERSY MOUNTS
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 strong job of building that league,” Silver said, citing her “enormous progress.”
Clark has been the victim of several hard fouls and boastful trash talk while being the bright face of the league. The 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 said “the face of your league” is subject to “repeated acts of unnecessary physical hostility and violence.” It 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 undermined when its brightest stars are not adequately protected,” the letter reads. “Your fans deserve better, and so do the young women 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) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
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Clark recently went after the WNBA, saying it needs to do a better job of protecting its players both on and off the court. Thomas said she received death threats after the violation.
