NBA commissioner Adam Silver refused to comment on Sports Business Journal’s report that suggested he had influenced WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert to suspend Alyssa Thomas in the Caitlin Clark saga. During an appearance at the CNBC Sport X Boardroom Game Plan Summit at Fanatics Fest on Thursday, Silver stated it wouldn’t be “fair” to Engelbert and Clark.
“I’m not going to comment on that because I don’t think it’s fair to Caitlin [Clark] or to Cathy Engelbert, either,” Silver said (h/t Yahoo Sports). “That’s not the real issue here.”
With Silver neither confirming nor denying the report, WNBA fans speculated about a hidden message behind his comment. Most felt the NBA commissioner did step in.
“If he didn’t step in, how would saying so be unfair to Cathy or Caitlin? So…he stepped in,” one fan said.
More reactions followed:
Adam Silver’s full comments on WNBA officiating, Caitlin Clark and the Alyssa Thomas saga
Adam Silver spoke at length about Caitlin Clark, the controversy surrounding the WNBA officiating and the Alyssa Thomas saga. Before refusing to comment on the report that he had overruled Cathy Engelbert’s initial decision not to punish the Mercury star, Silver called out the “political football” being played around Clark.
“I have 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. I don’t think that issue is ultimately about officiating. It’s become political ping-pong with her. And she’s a young woman who’s trying to improve her game.”
Silver was referring to 11 Republican lawmakers signing a letter addressed to Engelbert, demanding Clark’s safety. They also threatened to investigate the matter with the help of the Department of Justice if the league didn’t improve its officiating standards for Clark.
As for Alyssa Thomas’ foul on Caitlin Clark, Adam Silver’s comments implied he felt it was a flagrant foul and should have been reviewed in real time. He added that the WNBA’s officiating standards must improve.
“I don’t even think it’s fair to her that this has become a separate storyline about one foul,” Silver said. “Do we need to improve WNBA officiating? No doubt about it.”
The WNBA made several rule changes this year after complaints from players, coaches and teams last season. However, it remains controversial for now, as several people feel the whistle is inconsistent and that referees don’t call the same fouls on both teams during a game.
Read more:
- Colin Cowherd Defends Caitlin Clark as WNBA’s Face Following Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s ‘Disrespectful’ Remark
- Adam Silver Reportedly Pressured Cathy Engelbert Into Suspending Alyssa Thomas Over Caitlin Clark Incident
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