NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is taking a notably passive approach to the safety of the WNBA’s biggest superstar.
Rather than directly addressing the repeated physical treatment of Clark, Silver seemed more interested in tamping down the controversy.
On Thursday, as Silver addressed Clark’s treatment at a CNBC Sports Summit in New York, the commish had an opportunity to demand greater accountability but instead argued that the Clark controversy has been fueled more by politics than by what is happening on the court.
REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS PRESS WNBA COMMISSIONER CATHY ENGELBERT TO PROTECT CAITLIN CLARK
“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. … It’s become political ping-pong with her.”
To many Clark supporters, it’s Silver missing the point.
Silver shifted attention away from the repeated hard fouls and physical confrontations that have fueled criticism of the league. Instead, Silver suggested the bigger problem is the controversy surrounding Clark, not the repeated physical play that created it.
“Ultimately, the issues around Caitlin Clark are not largely about officiating, and that particular incident is not about whether a foul should have been called at the time …”
OLYMPIANS SPEAK OUT AGAINST WNBA FOR HANDLING OF CAITLIN CLARK
Clark’s supporters have watched the Fever star absorb hard foul after hard foul this season, making Silver’s explanation a tough sell.
But Silver’s reported involvement raises even more questions. According to multiple reports, he consulted with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert before Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas was suspended following the controversial throat strike.
Asked point-blank about the report, Silver wouldn’t confirm or deny it.
“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.”
While Silver did acknowledge one area that needs improvement, saying, “Do we need to improve WNBA officiating? No doubt about it,” he quickly pivoted away from the larger questions surrounding Clark’s treatment.
At a time when the WNBA needed action, Silver chose optics.
Send us your thoughts: [email protected] / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela
The Fox News Channel (FNC), often referred to as Fox News, is an American multinational conservative news and political commentary television channel and website based in New York City. Owned by the Fox News Media subsidiary of Fox Corporation, as of 2022, it is the most-watched cable news network in the United States, and as of 2023, it generates approximately 70% of its parent company's pre-tax profit. The channel broadcasts primarily from studios at 1211 Avenue of the Americas in Midtown Manhattan. Fox News provides service to 86 countries and territories, with international broadcasts featuring Fox Extra segments during advertising breaks.
Last updated from