​The Indiana Fever stated that they had no contact with the group of lawmakers who wrote a letter to the WNBA regarding Caitlin Clark’s treatment. Three Indiana representatives were among the 11 signatories of the letter, which suggested the possibility of Department of Justice investigations into the league if Clark is not protected. The letter asserted that Republicans have consistently led the charge to defend women’s sports and urged the WNBA to ensure female athletes are adequately safeguarded and that the court remains a professional environment for its players. It warned that if violent targeting continues unchecked, the league could face enforcement actions from the Department of Justice and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for potential violations of federal civil rights law. “Our organization nor Caitlin have had any interaction with this congressional group, and we were unaware of their letter,” the Fever’s statement read.
The incident at issue occurred on June 24 when Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury pressed her fist against Clark’s throat while the two were scrambling for a loose ball. Although no foul was called on the play, the league subsequently suspended Thomas for one game. The event and the league’s response sparked a heated online reaction from both Caitlin Clark supporters and critics, and Thomas reported receiving death threats. Even former President Donald Trump weighed in on the matter. Clark has said she believed the play warranted a flagrant foul, though she emphasized that no player should endure online harassment like the threats directed at Thomas.
Clark missed two games following the incident but was available for the Fever’s matchup on Wednesday, July 8, against the Los Angeles Sparks. The Fever were set to face the Mercury on Thursday, July 9, a game Clark would miss as part of her injury recovery. The Indiana congressional delegation—Erin Houchin, Marlin Stutzman, and Victoria Spartz—co-signed the letter to the WNBA. Stutzman’s statement asserted that, without Caitlin Clark, the WNBA would still be irrelevant or perhaps even defunct, and that Clark and every player deserve to know they are protected from unnecessary physical hostility and violence on the court. He urged Commissioner Engelbert to act swiftly to keep all players protected from what he described as the “thug-like violence Caitlin Clark has fallen victim to.” Spartz’s statement praised Clark for making Hoosiers proud and inspiring young girls nationwide, insisting that the WNBA has a responsibility to ensure every player competes in a fair and safe environment, with actions—and not merely words—reflecting that commitment.
In response to the incident, the Fever emphasized their stance: their organization and Caitlin Clark had no interaction with the congressional group, and they had no knowledge of the letter. The event itself and the ensuing discussions have continued to fuel debate across fans, players, and commentators about safety, accountability, and the standards of conduct within professional basketball. The Fever’s public clarification aims to distance the team from political pressure and to underscore a commitment to Clark’s wellbeing and the league’s processes for addressing on-court incidents, while the broader discourse underscores the complex interplay among sports, media, and politics in shaping perceptions of athlete treatment and safety.