The WNBA has a fascinating way of handling its biggest star. Someone punches Caitlin Clark in the throat, and somehow the league's commissioner ends up releasing a statement about how the puncher is the real victim here. You truly cannot make this stuff up.
As The American Tribune reported, Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas made contact with Clark's throat while the two were going after a loose ball. The referees, who were apparently watching a completely different game, did not call a foul. The next day, after the video made the rounds on social media, the league reviewed the play and upgraded it to a Flagrant 2 foul for "recklessly making contact with her fist to the throat area." Thomas received a one game suspension and a whopping thousand dollar fine. For context, that is less than what most people spend on a used couch.
Thomas then spoke to reporters, saying the situation was being blown out of proportion and that she and her teammates had been receiving death threats. She also called out WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert for not responding fast enough. "We still have yet to hear anything from her," Thomas said. "You can see what's being said. As usual, she remains silent, and that's unfortunate when our lives are being threatened," she continued, according to The Daily Caller.
Engelbert, who apparently needed a player to publicly shame her before finding her keyboard, released a statement roughly two hours later. "The WNBA vehemently condemns any and all forms of hate. The safety and well-being of everyone in our community is always the league's top priority," Engelbert said. "We are aware of Alyssa Thomas' comments, and what she said she and her teammates have experienced is completely unacceptable and not representative of the WNBA community."
Nowhere in the statement did the commissioner address the fact that one of her players recklessly struck the league's most marketable athlete in the throat. The safety and well being of everyone in the community is the top priority, unless that someone is Caitlin Clark, in which case the throat is apparently fair game.
Meanwhile, an ESPN analyst helpfully suggested that Clark "embellishes" contact. Yes, the woman who took a fist to the windpipe is the one being dramatic. That is certainly a take.
Fans were predictably furious, with many questioning why Clark continues to absorb rough play while the league looks the other way. Others suggested Clark should take her talents to a European league where, presumably, throat punches are less of a standard defensive strategy.
The WNBA spent years begging for viewers. Then Clark showed up, ratings exploded, and the league's response has been to let opposing players treat her like a speed bag while the commissioner writes press releases about kindness. It is a bold business model. Let us see how it plays out.
Read more American news stories at: The American Tribune
