Caitlin Clark continues to be disrespected by WNBA & other media outlets

The WNBA is once again facing intense scrutiny over how it has handled an incident involving Caitlin Clark, and the debate only intensified after Commissioner Cathy Engelbert issued a public statement addressing the fallout. The statement came roughly two hours after Alyssa Thomas criticized the league’s response to the online abuse she said she and her teammates have received following the June 24 altercation with Clark.

>While the commissioner condemned the reported hate and harassment directed at Thomas, many fans and commentators argued that the league’s response failed to adequately address what happened to Clark during the game. Even other media outlets outside the WNBA are disrespecting Clark by sympathizing with Thomas, not Clark.

>RELATED: WNBA’s Alyssa Thomas receiving death threats after incident with Caitlin Clark

The Incident That Sparked the DebatePhoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) scrambles to get up over Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, during a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Phoenix Mercury defeated the Indiana Fever, 111-109.The controversy began during a loose-ball scramble on June 24, when Thomas made contact with Clark around the throat area. Officials did not assess a foul during the game.

>After reviewing the play the following day, the WNBA upgraded it to a Flagrant 2 foul, stating that Thomas had “recklessly” made contact with her fist to Clark’s throat area. The league suspended Thomas for one game and fined her $1,000. For many observers, that punishment was not severe enough given the nature of the play.

Fans Wanted a Stronger MessageRather than ending the discussion, the league’s disciplinary decision fueled even more criticism. Thomas later suggested that the public reaction to the incident had been exaggerated, while also speaking about the online abuse she and her teammates experienced afterward.

>If those reports are accurate, death threats and abusive messages are completely unacceptable and should be condemned without hesitation. At the same time, many Clark supporters felt Thomas never truly acknowledged the seriousness of the on-court incident or offered an apology.

League Response Draws Mixed ReactionsJun 11, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert meets with the working media before Portland Fire against the Las Vegas Aces at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn ImagesCommissioner Engelbert’s statement focused on condemning the reported harassment directed at Thomas, emphasizing that there is no place for hate in the sport.

>While few would disagree with that message, many fans questioned why the league did not pair it with a stronger public condemnation of the play involving Clark. Critics argue that doing both, denouncing online abuse while also reaffirming that dangerous on-court conduct is unacceptable, would have sent a clearer message.

>The discussion has become part of a broader conversation surrounding Clark’s treatment since entering the WNBA. Several physical incidents involving the league’s biggest star have generated debate about whether officials and the league have done enough to protect players while maintaining consistent standards of discipline.

>As the conversation continues, one thing is clear: the incident has become about far more than a single play. It has evolved into a larger debate over player safety, league messaging, and how the WNBA responds to its biggest controversies.

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