Republican lawmakers asked WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to explain how the league is addressing player safety, discipline and harassment after several physical incidents involving Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A group of Republican lawmakers is asking the WNBA to provide information about how the league has handled physical play involving Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, saying recent incidents have raised concerns about player safety, discipline and workplace protections.
Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, led the congressional request, which was sent to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. Pfluger and 10 other Republican members of Congress asked the league to respond by July 24.
In a Wednesday letter, the lawmakers said Clark has faced “unnecessary physical hostility and violence” during games. They cited incidents in which she was hip-checked, poked in the eye and struck in the throat.
The lawmakers said the WNBA must explain how it is addressing on-court violence, player discipline and online harassment, as well as whether the league is providing sufficient protections for Clark and other players.
“As Commissioner, you have an obligation to ensure that every player competes in a safe and professional environment, both on and off the court, free from violence, discrimination, or retaliation,” the letter states.
The lawmakers also said they were concerned by reports that some of the treatment Clark has received “may be racially motivated.”
They warned that federal agencies could become involved if discrimination or retaliation contributes to a hostile work environment. The letter named the Justice Department, Labor Department and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as agencies that could investigate potential civil rights violations.
The request comes after renewed scrutiny of WNBA officiating following a June 24 game between the Indiana Fever and Phoenix Mercury. During that game, Clark was struck in the throat. No foul was called at the time, but the WNBA later upgraded the play to a Flagrant 2 foul and suspended Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas for one game.
The Fever said Wednesday that neither the team nor Clark was involved in the congressional letter before it became public.
“Our organization nor Caitlin has had any interaction with anyone in this congressional group and we were unaware of their letter,” the team said in a statement.
The organization said it has repeatedly raised player safety issues in conversations with the league and will continue to advocate for its players.
Clark has also spoken publicly about the need for better officiating. At the same time, she has condemned harassment aimed at other players.
After Thomas said she and her family received racist abuse and death threats following the June incident, Clark said “harassment” and “hate” have no place in the WNBA.
The WNBA had not publicly responded to the lawmakers’ letter as of Thursday.
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