​Eleven Republican lawmakers have written to the WNBA urging the league to shield Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark from what they described as “multiple attacks” on the court. Since entering the league in 2024 after a standout college career at Iowa, Clark has endured a number of hard fouls. Most recently, Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas struck Clark in the throat during a game. Although no foul was called at the time, the WNBA later suspended Thomas for one game. In the wake of the incident, Thomas and her family faced racist abuse and death threats.
In their letter, led by Representative August Pfluger, the lawmakers commend Clark as “the face of your league” and credit her with generating renewed interest in the WNBA, which has seen a rise in popularity in recent years. They express concern that reports of attacks against Clark could be racially motivated, noting that Clark is white while the majority of WNBA players 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 states. “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.”
The letter asks the league to clarify its stance on “physical hostility and violence on the court,” how the league disciplines “overly aggressive acts on the court,” and what steps the WNBA is taking to address online harassment of its players.
The Fever issued a statement on Wednesday saying they were unaware of the letter. “Our organization nor Caitlin has had any interaction with anyone in this congressional group and we were unaware of their letter,” the statement read. “We have been clear in our public comments and in our ongoing dialogue with the League about the priority of player safety. Our players and our fans know where we stand on those issues, and we will continue to advocate for our team and a standard of excellence across the league.”
There is widespread sentiment within the league that the attacks on Clark may not be racially motivated, and that high-profile players in both the WNBA and NBA frequently draw physical play, especially early in their careers. Online abuse of Black players in the league is a continuing issue, and Clark has long become a focal point for controversies surrounding race and gender in the United States.
Clark herself has spoken about the frustration she feels with the narratives and abuse sometimes attached to her career coverage. “I turn the TV on Sunday and that game was on Wednesday,” she has said, reflecting on how discussions around her performance and image can dominate conversations outside of the court.