Congress demands WNBA protect Caitlin Clark from 'physical hostility'

A group of House Republicans is demanding the WNBA answer questions about the physical treatment of Caitlin Clark, with a July 24 deadline for the league to respond. The letter, sent by 11 members of the House Republican Study Committee, warns that Clark has been subjected to repeated acts of 'physical hostility and violence' that go beyond routine competition.

'Millions of casual fans now tune in to watch her play,' the lawmakers wrote to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Englebert. 'Unfortunately, what they too often witness is not simply aggressive competition, but repeated acts of physical hostility and violence. Clark has been hip-checked, poked in the eye and struck in the throat during games.'

The letter follows a June 24 incident where Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas made contact with her fist to Clark's throat. Thomas was not called for a foul during the game, but the league later upgraded the play to a flagrant foul and suspended her one game for 'recklessly making contact with her fist.'

What Congress is asking the WNBA to do

The lawmakers are demanding the league answer questions about its officiating standards and player safety protocols by July 24. They also suggested that government agencies, including the Department of Justice, should investigate whether discrimination or retaliation are creating a hostile work environment in the WNBA.

League officials have not yet issued a statement in response to the letter. The WNBA did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Thomas has called the play a 'complete accident,' adding that she has received death threats since the incident. Clark and her coach, Stephanie White, have condemned threats levied at Thomas.

Why Caitlin Clark is a target on the court

The 24-year-old Iowa alum has helped drive WNBA ticket sales and television ratings to unprecedented heights. But her rapid rise to stardom has made her a polarizing figure among players and fans alike.

Clark supporters say her immediate notoriety created resentment among WNBA veterans, leading to hard fouls that cross the line. Opponents counter that because of Clark's ability to shoot and handle the ball, defenders try to be as physical as referees will allow to slow her down.

Following the June 24 game, White angrily expressed that players had crossed the line multiple times. The 6-foot, 157-pound Clark eventually left in the second half with a back injury that kept her out of the next two games. She returned to action Wednesday night but was not expected to play Thursday night at Phoenix as a precaution.

The race factor in the Clark debate

The subject of race has also been injected into the Clark debate. White and Clark are both white; Thomas is Black.

UConn coach Geno Auriemma, who has won a record 12 NCAA women's basketball championships, noted the tension. 'Because the bandwagon and the fandom became so obsessed with the whole thing, it turned into a cause,' he said. Clark, he added, 'became the reason why white players get beat up in the WNBA and she became the reason why Black players don't get the endorsements and don't get the adulation that white players get.'

Auriemma also cautioned: 'Not every foul is a good foul. Not every foul's a bad foul, but there are fouls that are flagrant — but that's all they are.'

Clark's own role in the controversy

Clark has repeatedly attempted to downplay the noise surrounding her. But she also has played a part in this ongoing storyline, showing her passion by throwing her arms in the air when she's unhappy with calls, exaggerating contact as a tactic to draw fouls, and critiquing refs when she doesn't get one.

Clark is also among the leading trash-talkers in the WNBA. When she gets the better of an opponent, she isn't shy about letting them know about it. She is averaging a career-high 20.5 points per game while ranking second in the league in assists with 7.9 — trailing only Thomas (8.3).

Part of Clark's appeal is her antagonistic style. However, there can be a price to pay: She has drawn five technical fouls this season, the most recent coming June 22 against Phoenix when she started clapping after a heated exchange with Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner. Players receive a one-game suspension when they reach eight technicals.

All-Star center Aliyah Boston, who wants to ensure Clark stays on the court, said on her 'Post Moves' podcast that she told her teammate: 'We're done. We're done clapping. There's no more claps. There's nothing else to clap about.'

It's more likely, though, that Clark and her fans will continue clapping — and her critics will keep clapping back.

What's next for the WNBA and Clark

The league now faces a July 24 deadline to respond to Congress. Whether the WNBA will take additional steps to protect Clark — or whether the controversy will continue to escalate — remains to be seen.

Clark herself has acknowledged the toll. 'I think sometimes people think I'm a robot. I'm not a robot,' she said. 'It can be really frustrating to me at times. I'm 24 years old trying to navigate a lot. I've been in this world for four years now — and you would never change any of it — but there are times that it is hard. And there are times when it affects me a little bit more than I do put on. I think it's important that people remember that part of it, too.'

Fever officials said in a statement that neither Clark nor team officials have been in contact with the Congressional group and that they were unaware of the letter before its release. 'We have been clear in our public comments and in our ongoing dialogue with the league about the priority of player safety,' the statement read.