NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Thursday that Caitlin Clark has become a “political football” and argued the debate around her has been driven more by politics than what happens on the court, the commissioner said at a CNBC Sports Summit in New York.
“I’ve come to know Caitlin really well. She’s an incredible player and also an incredible person. And she wants to focus on being the best player she can. She has become a bit of a political football in this country, and I think it’s incredibly unfair to her,” Silver said, adding that the situation had become “political ping-pong.” He also said “the issues around Caitlin Clark are not largely about officiating” and that a particular incident he referenced was not about whether a foul should have been called at the time.
Silver acknowledged one area that needs work, saying, “Do we need to improve WNBA officiating? No doubt about it.” He did not lay out specific steps for accountability for repeated physical play against Clark.
To many Clark supporters, Silver’s remarks diverted attention from repeated hard fouls and physical confrontations involving the Fever star, critics said. Those supporters have pushed for stronger league action to address physical play Clark has endured this season.
According to multiple reports, Silver consulted with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert before Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas was suspended following a controversial throat strike. Asked about those reports, Silver declined to confirm or deny them, saying, “I’m not going to comment on [the Engelbert report], because I don’t think it’s fair to Caitlin, and to Cathy Engelbert either.”
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
