Republicans ask WNBA to protect Caitlin Clark from possible 'racially motivated' attacks

[AZProgressive]

Eleven Republican politicians have written to the WNBA asking the league to protect Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark from “multiple attacks” on court.

Clark has been on the receiving end of hard fouls since she entered the league in 2024 after a stellar college career with Iowa. Recently, the Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas hit Clark in the throat during a game. Thomas was not called for a foul at the time but the WNBA later suspended her for one game. Thomas and her family received racist abuse and death threats after the incident.

In the letter, the Republican politicians, led by congressman August Pfluger, praise Clark as “the face of your league” and someone who is bringing renewed interest to the WNBA, which has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years. The lawmakers say they are worried by reports that “attacks against Clark may be racially motivated.” Clark is white and most players in the WNBA are Black.

“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 said. “If discrimination or retaliation is occurring and creating a hostile work environment, we support any appropriate investigation by the Department of Justice, the Department of Labor, or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. If true, such conduct could constitute violations of federal civil rights laws.”

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jul/09/republicans-ask-wnba-to-protect-caitlin-clark-from-possible-racially-motivated-attacks

Sorry that this article is a few days old. I just think they're going overboard in trying to protect Clark. Basketball is a contact sport and the all-time leading scorer in the WNBA is a white woman Diana Taurasi but I don't remember this amount of outrage every time she was fouled and that also includes other white players such as Paige Bueckers.

[RandySF]

1. I'm glad we've solved the cost of living.

[B.See]

2. Interesting (and telling) that MAGA

Republicans call Clark 'the face of a league' that's dominated by Black women.

Here's a June 26 article (courtesy of Mother Jones) that I'd saved back then:

These Dudes Don’t Think It’s Safe to Be a Straight White Woman in the WNBA If only there was a league where Caitlin Clark could really shine.

On Wednesday night, Clark’s Indiana Fever took on the Phoenix Mercury when, in the second quarter, Clark lost her footing while driving to the basket. During a brief scramble for the ball, Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas lodged a fist into Clark’s throat. Thomas, known widely to people in the know as one of the more physical players in the league, was eventually given a flagrant 2 foul, the league’s most serious penalty, after league review and suspended for one game.

That’s not enough for right-wing media, which has gone overboard in her defense. Noted conservative commentator Benny Johnson, for instance, wanted justice, tweeting the next day to his four million followers, “This is our George Floyd.”

Boomer Esiason, a former pro football player turned radio personality, even floated the idea of Clark taking her talents over to Europe. “If I were Caitlin Clark, I would seriously consider going to play overseas somewhere and get the royal treatment,” Esiason said. “She’s a straight, white basketball player. And she is not being treated with any sort of respect.”

And look, maybe Boomer has a point. Maybe players are being unnecessarily mean to Caitlin Clark. After all, young, popular athletes in other leagues are never targeted like this by their peers, and it’s only been Black women who have publicly challenged Clark’s dominance. Maybe she should go to some peaceful majority-white oasis where she can be free of dumb squabbles about race and gender. She could probably become the multi-million dollar face of a league, even get her own signature shoe. Caitlin Clark could become an icon.

... An ICON. Imagine that.

[questionseverything]

3. She was kneed in the groin before the fist to the neck

And then it looked like a misplaced stomp

It’s frustrating to see you quoting an article that incorrectly describes what happened

[B.See]

4. Perhaps the author's point wasn't to dispute the infractions,

as much as wondering why we're now paying attention.

Has the WNBA become a brutal league, or are we just paying more attention now? - The Guardian (one year ago) From bloody noses to body-check complaints, the league’s physicality is under the microscope. But players and historians say the toughness isn’t new – we’re just finally watching

[questionseverything]

5. It wasn't toughness, if it happened on the street it would be assault

With all the technology available there is no reason for the bad refs and no calls

[B.See]

6. So I trust what you are saying is that

the storied history of such play in the WNBA was not "tough play" but "assaults" that had been long overlooked until Clark's.

And that now, such play should be considered as such and outlawed,

for the benefit of the league and ALL its players.

[questionseverything]

7. Geesh, that behavior is already supposed to be outlawed

The author is full of beans

[B.See]

8. The AUTHOR is full of beans? That's

not exactly an acknowledgement that "assaults" (as you called it) have long existed in the WNBA,

(btw, have you seen the WNBA injury stats for this season or in 2025?)

or that it might need addressing for the benefit of all its players.

So maybe it's the congressional Republicans (at least) who are full of... well... something.