Adam Silver says it’s unfair to make Caitlin Clark ‘political football’ in WNBA debates

Silver Labels Clark a “Political Football”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has publicly addressed the intense scrutiny surrounding Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, stating that the rookie has been unfairly turned into a political football. Speaking during an onstage conversation at the CNBC and Boardroom Game Plan Summit, Silver emphasized that the ongoing national discourse regarding Clark and the WNBA has transcended the sport of basketball.

She has become a bit of a political football in this country, and I think it’s incredibly unfair to her, Silver said. I don’t think that issue is ultimately about officiating. It’s become political ping-pong with her.

Silver’s comments follow weeks of heightened tension in the WNBA, much of it triggered by a 24 June game between the Fever and the Phoenix Mercury. During the second quarter, Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas made contact with her fist to Clark’s throat. While no foul was called on the court, the WNBA retroactively upgraded the play to a Flagrant 2 and suspended Thomas for one game. Thomas, who later characterized the play as accidental, has since spoken out about receiving death threats and racial slurs in the aftermath of the incident.

Officiating Debates and League Oversight

While Silver acknowledged that the WNBA needs to improve its officiating—a sentiment echoed by coaches and fans—he insisted that the debate around Clark has shifted away from the mechanics of the game. Ultimately, the issues around Caitlin Clark are not largely about officiating, Silver said. And that particular incident is not about whether a foul should have been called at the time in the game or whether that was ultimately a flagrant on review.

The league has faced persistent questions regarding the physical nature of play since Clark’s arrival in 2024. In response to these concerns, the WNBA established a task force during the offseason consisting of general managers and coaches to prioritize the enforcement of rules regarding illegal contact.

Despite these efforts, Fever coach Stephanie White has publicly condemned the rise of toxicity, racism, and homophobia directed at players, particularly online. Clark herself has condemned the harassment, stating, None of that is OK.

Leadership and Future Outlook

The incident involving Thomas and Clark has also sparked scrutiny regarding the leadership of WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. A report by the Sports Business Journal claimed that Silver had to persuade Engelbert to issue the suspension to Thomas after she initially did not plan to take disciplinary action. A WNBA spokesperson later described the report as absolutely false.

Silver declined to comment on the report, stating it would be unfair to both Engelbert and Clark. During a recent NBA Summer League press conference, Silver offered praise for the WNBA’s growth and the historic collective bargaining agreement finalized in March. However, he remained noncommittal regarding Engelbert’s long-term future.

I think Cathy continues to do a strong job building that league, Silver said. We’ll have ongoing discussions about what the future looks like.

Engelbert, who has served as commissioner since 2019, has recently faced criticism from multiple fronts, including the late cancellation of a scheduled interview with radio host Dan Patrick and public frustration from players regarding league leadership.