​U.S. Representative Zach Nunn has urged the WNBA to take stronger steps to safeguard Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, presenting his case in a letter to league commissioner Cathy Engelbert. The letter, released on social media on Wednesday, July 8, was co-signed by Nunn and ten other members of the Republican Study Committee. The lawmakers contend that since turning pro in 2024, Clark has become a central figure in driving renewed fan interest in the league. They note, however, that she continues to experience what they describe as “repeated acts of unnecessary physical hostility and violence on the court.”
The document cites the June 24 game between the Phoenix Mercury and the Fever, highlighting an incident in which Phoenix forward Alyssa Thomas struck Clark in the throat. Officials did not call a foul in real time, but the league later upgraded the play to a flagrant 2 foul. The incident drew significant online attention and sparked a broader conversation about Clark’s treatment within the WNBA. On July 6, former President Donald Trump weighed in on the matter, describing Clark as having been treated “rather rough” and calling the event “a pretty bad incident.”
The July 8 letter argues that these episodes extend beyond ordinary physical competition, and yet the WNBA and its officiating have too often failed to address such unacceptable behavior or to hold players accountable. In response, Alyssa Thomas described the contact as an accident and revealed that she has received death threats and racial slurs since the play. Clark later stated that she condemns harassment and hate directed at Thomas and other WNBA players. The signees expressed concern that the league’s current measures are insufficient to protect players from similar aggression and urged commissioners and officials to implement stronger protections, clearer accountability, and enhanced penalties for violent or abusive conduct on the court.