NBA Commissioner Adam Silver recently commented on the situation surrounding Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, stating that she has become a “political football” in the country. Speaking at the CNBC/Boardroom Game Plan event, Silver emphasized that the issues concerning Clark are not primarily about officiating.
Silver highlighted that a specific incident involving Clark and Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas on June 24 was not about whether a foul should have been called during the game or if it was a flagrant non-review. He described Clark as an “incredible player” and “incredible person” who aims to focus on her game, calling her current status “incredibly unfair to her.”
The incident in question occurred during the second quarter of a game where Thomas pushed a closed fist into Clark’s neck during a loose-ball play. The Fever appealed the play, leading the WNBA to retroactively issue a flagrant 2 foul to Thomas and announce a one-game suspension.
Reported Intervention and Commissioner’s Response
Reports from the Sports Business Journal indicated that Silver urged WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to issue the suspension for Thomas. When questioned about this report, Silver did not deny its accuracy but chose not to comment, stating it would be unfair to both Clark and Engelbert.
Sources familiar with the situation suggested that Engelbert initially did not plan to suspend Thomas, believing that a follow-up suspension seemed too severe since no foul was called on the court at the time. However, these sources also indicated that Silver believed there was clear evidence of a flagrant foul, felt concern for Clark, and conveyed to Engelbert that action was necessary.
A WNBA spokesperson, however, stated that the claim Engelbert did not originally intend to suspend Thomas was “absolutely false.” Thomas herself mentioned she was informed of her suspension approximately 10 minutes before the news became public on social media. She also reported receiving death threats, harassment, and racial slurs directed at her and her family following the game.
Officiating Concerns and League Growth
Officiating has been a long-standing concern for the WNBA, a situation that has reportedly intensified since Clark joined the league in 2024. The level of physicality in games became such an issue that some coaches questioned if there was a directive from league leadership to permit more physical play.
Silver acknowledged the need for improved officiating within the league. Efforts were made during the offseason to address this, including the formation of a task force comprising eight general managers and coaches. This group met to establish priorities such as calling illegal contact, enforcing the defensive three-second rule, and clarifying the distinction between legal and illegal contact. Additionally, long-time WNBA official Eric Brewton was hired for a new advisory role.
Despite these initiatives, officiating issues have continued into the current season. Silver reiterated his belief that the core problem is not officiating itself, but rather a “political ping-pong” centered around Clark. He expressed that it is unfair for Clark to have a separate storyline emerge about whether a foul should have been called during the game or retroactively.
Engelbert, speaking on a panel before Silver, was not directly asked about the decision to suspend Thomas or Silver’s reported influence. She addressed how the league can grow while managing toxicity, describing the vitriol as “unacceptable” and commending the positive aspects of the game.
Silver, who was involved in writing the original business plan for the WNBA 30 years ago, praised the league’s growth, noting “off-the-charts valuations” and crediting Clark for attracting a new audience. He added that the increased attention extended beyond Clark, revealing the “enormous talent in this league.”
The WNBA retroactively issued a flagrant 2 foul and a one-game suspension to Alyssa Thomas after reviewing the incident with Caitlin Clark.
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Source: nytimes.com
