Republicans Urge WNBA to Protect Caitlin Clark

Eleven Republican politicians sent a letter to the WNBA this week, urging the league to implement protections for Indiana Fever player Caitlin Clark against "multiple attacks" during games. Clark, who joined the WNBA in 2024 after a notable college career at Iowa, has experienced several hard fouls on the court. One recent incident involved Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas, who struck Clark in the throat. Although no foul was called during the game, the WNBA later issued a one-game suspension to Thomas. Following this incident, Thomas and her family reported receiving racist abuse and death threats. The letter from the Republican lawmakers suggests a concern that such attacks on Clark could be "racially motivated." The WNBA has not yet publicly responded to the letter. The league has faced scrutiny regarding player safety and the handling of incidents involving excessive physical play. The call for protection comes amid ongoing discussions about player conduct and the potential for increased aggression towards high-profile athletes like Clark.