​Erica Denhoff/AP Texas Congressman August Pfluger (R-TX) has circulated a letter he appears to have sent to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, urging accountability from the league in response to what he characterizes as multiple attacks on Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark. Pfluger posted on X that he led colleagues in demanding accountability from Engelbert after what he describes as “MULTIPLE attacks against Caitlin Clark, a player who is transforming women’s sports and inspiring a new generation of young girls to participate in athletics.” He warned that if the league continues to overlook what he calls violent targeting, it could invite a Department of Justice and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforcement action for potential violations of federal civil rights law.
Media outlets have reached out to the WNBA for comment. In the letter, Pfluger portrays Clark as “the face of your league,” noting her role in boosting fan interest, driving record television ratings, and attracting new corporate sponsors. He asserts that millions of fans tune in to Fever games to watch Clark, but that they frequently witness “not simply aggressive competition, but repeated acts of unnecessary physical hostility and violence.” Among the incidents he cites as examples of these supposed “acts of violence” are being hip-checked, being poked in the eye, and being struck in the throat during games, actions he argues “go far beyond routine physical play.”
Pfluger also contends that “many of these attacks against Caitlin Clark may be racially motivated.” He warns that if Engelbert does not take action, he and the other signatories would back any appropriate investigations by the Department of Justice, the Department of Labor, or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He argues that the investigations’ findings could amount to violations of federal civil rights laws. The group asks Engelbert to respond by July 24 with details on three points: the league’s review process for “physical hostility and violence on the court,” how the league holds players accountable for “overly aggressive acts on the court, including toward Caitlin Clark,” and what steps the league has taken to protect players from online threats.
The WNBA’s actions in recent weeks largely align with the group’s inquiries. In the chapter of recent league discipline, the league addressed a June incident involving Clark in a Fever matchup against the Phoenix Mercury. During that game, a controversial moment occurred when Alyssa Thomas of the Mercury appeared to push her fist toward Clark’s throat while Clark was standing, an action that the league later classified as a Flagrant 2 foul the day after. Thomas received a one-game suspension and a fine—consistent with the league’s established practice of disciplining similar fouls and signaling a zero-tolerance approach to violent conduct on the court.
The Flagrant 2 foul designation in the WNBA is defined as a contact that, whether or not the ball is in play, is deemed unnecessary and excessive. This category of foul is used by league officials to distinguish between ordinary physical competition and actions that cross the line into dangerous or abusive behavior, and it typically triggers disciplinary measures designed to deter repeated occurrences of such behavior. Pfluger’s letter, by invoking federal civil rights protections and urging potential investigations, underscores the high-stakes political and civil rights context that often colors debates about sports governance, athlete safety, and accountability for conduct on and off the court.
As the WNBA considers any potential policy revisions or enforcement enhancements, the evolving dialogue on player safety, harassment, and online threats remains a focal point for league leadership, players, and lawmakers alike. The intersection of sportsmanship standards, fan behavior, and civil rights enforcement continues to shape how professional leagues address disputes and protect athletes who are seen as leading figures in expanding opportunities for women in sports.