WNBA all star Caitlin Clark is getting some off the court backup following a series of high-profile instances where she appears to have been targeted by WNBA players on opposing teams.
Rep. August Pfluger (R., Texas) and several of his colleagues in the Republican Study Committee (RSC) wrote to Cathy Engelbert, the WNBA’s Commissioner, requesting that the league “hold players accountable for overly aggressive actions on the court, including towards Caitlin Clark,” do more “to protect WNBA players from online harassment and off the court threats,” and to provide answers about its “review mechanism for physical hostility and violence on the court.”
Pfluger and his colleagues note that “Clark has been hip-checked, poked in the eye, and struck in the throat during games. These incidents go far beyond routine physical play, yet the WNBA and its officiating have too often failed to address these unacceptable incidents and hold players accountable,” they wrote to Engelbert. “Recently, a player even appeared to endorse violence against Clark in a social media post, further fueling concerns about the culture surrounding these incidents. In addition, concerning reports suggest that many of these attacks against Caitlin Clark may be racially motivated.”
“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 lawmakers noted. “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.”
Rep. Tim Burchett (R., Tenn.) cautioned that “the WNBA’s failure to act on these concerning incidents shows an indifference, or active disregard, for civil rights protections. I look forward to receiving answers from Commissioner Engelbert.”
Reps. Erin Houchin (R., Ind.), Marlin Stutzman (R., Ind.), Victoria Spartz (R., Ind.), Diana Harshbarger (R., Tenn.), Sheri Biggs (R., S.C.), Zach Nunn (R., Iowa), Mark Alford (R., Mo.), Pete Sessions (R., Texas), and John Rose (R., Tenn.) joined Pfluger and Burchett in expressing their concern.
Their effort is the latest push by House Republicans to defend women’s sports — and comes hours before the Indiana Fever are scheduled to play their latest match.
Pfluger noted in the letter that “Caitlin Clark is transforming women’s sports. She has inspired a new generation of young girls to participate in athletics and has become one of the most influential figures in the history of women’s basketball. She is also the face of your league…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.”
For Indiana lawmakers in particular, the Clark issue hits close to home.
“If it were not for Caitlin Clark the WNBA would still be irrelevant and possibly even defunct,” Stutzman noted. “Caitlin, and every player, deserves to know that when they walk on the court they are protected from unnecessary physical hostility and violence. Commissioner Engelbert is responsible for the safety of the women in her league, she should act swiftly to keep them all protected from the thug-like violence Caitlin Clark has fallen victim to.”
Stutzman’s fellow Hoosier, Spartz, added that “Caitlin Clark has made Hoosiers proud and inspired countless young girls across the nation to believe they belong on the court. The WNBA has a responsibility to ensure every player competes in a fair and safe environment, and its actions — not just its words — must reflect that.”
Female lawmakers like Harshbarger and Biggs emphasized the importance of protecting women’s sports. “Caitlin Clark has done more to grow women’s basketball than perhaps any athlete in the sport’s history, inspiring young girls across East Tennessee and the country to pick up a basketball and dream big,” Harshbarger said. “But instead of protecting its biggest star, the WNBA has let repeated physical attacks against her go unanswered. Women athletes deserve fair and safe competition. Commissioner Engelbert has an obligation to get serious about accountability and it’s time she finally does.”
“The very foundation of protecting women’s sports means protecting the women who compete in them and preserving the integrity of fair competition,” Biggs added. “The WNBA’s responsibility to ensure that physical play never crosses the line into reckless or unsafe behavior doesn’t end at Caitlin Clark. It’s not partisan and it’s not controversial. The Commissioner must demonstrate that player safety is a top priority and that the rules will be enforced fairly and consistently for all WNBA athletes.”
Nunn is another lawmaker who is eager to note his district’s ties to the sports superstar. “Caitlin Clark is one of West Des Moines’ own, and she’s a hero to millions of young girls — including my daughters,” he said. “She carried women’s basketball to new heights, and she’s earned the right to compete without being unfairly punched, shoved, and targeted while the league that makes a billion dollars off her name looks the other way. Iowa has your back, keep the faith Caitlin!”
This move by the RSC fits squarely in with its priorities about defending women’s sports. Alford, the RSC’s Messaging Task Force Chair, noted that “Caitlin Clark has transformed women’s basketball and inspired a new generation, while getting hammered for it with no accountability. That’s not competition, that’s failure. Protect your players, enforce your rules, or don’t be surprised when it raises serious federal civil rights questions.”
