Republicans ask WNBA to protect Caitlin Clark from possible 'racially motivated' attacks

Eleven Republican politicians have written to the WNBA asking the league to protect Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark from “multiple attacks” on court.

Clark has been on the receiving end of hard fouls since she entered the league in 2024 after a stellar college career with Iowa. Recently, the Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas hit Clark in the throat during a game. Thomas was not called for a foul at the time but the WNBA later suspended her for one game. Thomas and her family received racist abuse and death threats after the incident.

In the letter, the Republican politicians, led by congressman August Pfluger, praise Clark as “the face of your league” and someone who is bringing renewed interest to the WNBA, which has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years. The lawmakers say they are worried by reports that “attacks against Clark may be racially motivated.” Clark is white and most players in the WNBA are Black.

“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 letter said. “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.”

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jul/09/republicans-ask-wnba-to-protect-caitlin-clark-from-possible-racially-motivated-attacks

Sorry that this article is a few days old. I just think they're going overboard in trying to protect Clark. Basketball is a contact sport and the all-time leading scorer in the WNBA is a white woman Diana Taurasi but I don't remember this amount of outrage every time she was fouled and that also includes other white players such as Paige Bueckers.