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Katie Douglas connected House GOP calls to protect Caitlin Clark
Former WNBA All-star Katie Douglas emphasizes nan request for change, noting nan accrued physicality Clark faces and distinguishing fouls from normal contact. Her comments travel nan House GOP's telephone for WNBA involution to protect nan prima player.
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When Alyssa Thomas put a fist to nan pharynx of Caitlin Clark, she was not punished successful nan contiguous aftermath.
She yet was fixed a one-game suspension and a Flagrant 2 foul aft the WNBA conducted a review, but that apparently was almost not nan case.
According to nan Sports Business Journal, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert was not readying connected suspending Thomas but was yet convinced by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
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Caitlin Clark watches nan action during nan Indiana Fever's highly anticipated matchup pinch nan Las Vegas Aces. (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images) ((Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images))
Engelbert was reportedly worried that a suspension for a play that was not called connected nan tribunal was excessively harsh a penalty. However, Silver said location was grounds of a flagrant foul and implored Engelbert to manus down nan punishment.
The outlet reported that nan convention operated nether accustomed protocols for imaginable flagrant fouls. However, it besides said Engelbert does not want to show favoritism toward Clark because of her fame while besides trying to "appease players who judge they’ve been overshadowed by" her. On nan flip side, nan SBJ said Engelbert has not been to an Indiana Fever game since Clark was drafted.
The WNBA told SBJ that nan study is "absolutely false" - neither convention instantly responded to an email from Fox News Digital.
HOST CLAIMS WNBA COMMISSIONER CATHY ENGELBERT CANCELED INTERVIEW AS CAITLIN CLARK CONTROVERSY MOUNTS
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks during a property convention anterior to nan NBA Japan Games 2019. (KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images)
Silver told reporters connected Tuesday that they will "have ongoing discussions astir what nan early looks like" regarding Engelbert’s domiciled successful nan WNBA.
"I deliberation Cathy continues to do a beardown occupation building that league," Silver said, citing her "tremendous progress."
Clark has fallen unfortunate to galore difficult fouls and boastful trash talk while being nan clear look of nan league. The Thomas incident prompted Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., to subordinate a group of lawmakers to write a letter to Engelbert, saying she has a work to guarantee each subordinate competes "in a safe and master environment."
The missive said "the look of your league" is taxable to "repeated acts of unnecessary beingness hostility and violence." It concluded by urging nan convention to return stronger action.
"The convention has an bonzer opportunity to animate nan adjacent procreation of female athletes to prosecute athletics, but that opportunity is undermined erstwhile its brightest stars are not adequately protected," nan missive reads. "Your fans merit better, and truthful do nan young girls who look to nan WNBA arsenic a exemplary for excellence, sportsmanship, and opportunity."
Connecticut Sun guardant Olivia Nelson-Ododa (10) fouls Indiana Fever defender Caitlin Clark (22) successful nan first half of a WNBA hoops crippled successful Indianapolis, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
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Clark precocious went aft nan WNBA, saying it needs to do a amended occupation of protecting its players some connected and disconnected nan court. Thomas said she received decease threats aft nan foul.
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