The fallout from the incident involving Caitlin Clark and Alyssa Thomas during the Indiana Fever-Phoenix Mercury has engulfed the WNBA over the last few weeks.
A new report now claims that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver prompted WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to issue Thomas with a one-game suspension after she made contact with her fist with Clark’s neck.
WNBA World Reacts to Adam Silver’s Role in Alyssa Thomas’ Suspension Over Caitlin Clark Incident
The incident was not deemed a foul in real time, and Engelbert apparently had no plans to issue further punishment to Thomas until Silver intervened. This is being reported by the Sports Business Journal, which claims Silver urged Engelbert to discipline the Mercury forward.
A Clark fan page called out Engelbert for her reported failure to discipline Thomas before Silver’s intervention.
“If this is true, and I have no reason to believe it isn’t, it is simultaneously completely outrageous AND unsurprising… Cannot get her out quickly enough,” they wrote on X.
If this is true, and I have no reason to believe it isn’t, it is simultaneously completely outrageous AND unsurprising
The idea of Cathy being so feckless, so inept, so cowed by certain factions of the league she ostensibly leads that she cannot enact even the slightest bit of… https://t.co/7g5Hky1ckB
— CC Report (@cc22report) July 15, 2026
Basketball reporter Mitchell Northam also claimed that this incident further shows that Engelbert is not the right person for the job of WNBA Commissioner.
“Not really sure what more evidence we need to see – she’s not the right person for the job,” he wrote.
Not really sure what more evidence we need to see — she’s not the right person for the job. https://t.co/yOLb4mOA9w
— Mitchell Northam (@primetimeMitch) July 15, 2026
Another influencer hit out at Engelbert, claiming that her departure from the WNBA would be in the league’s best interests.
“So the league didn’t want to punish AT for jumping on a player after the ball was gone, kneeing her in the groin, pushing down on her throat with her fist then attempting to stamp on her after getting up. Cathy’s days are numbered and tbh it’s a good thing for everyone involved,” they wrote.
So the league didn’t want to punish AT for jumping on a player after the ball was gone, kneeing her in the groin, pushing down on her throat with her fist then attempting to stamp on her after getting up
Cathy’s days are numbered and tbh it’s a good thing for everyone involved https://t.co/G8aUFGKsAs
— Mick (@DBGyt_) July 15, 2026
However, one journalist criticized the NBA bosses for influencing the decision-making in the WNBA.
“I was told that the WNBA makes its own decisions separate from the NBA and doesn’t answer to Adam Silver. The past several years have proven that to be categorically false,” they wrote.
I was told that the WNBA makes its own decisions separate from the NBA and doesn’t answer to Adam Silver.
The past several years have proven that to be categorically false. https://t.co/KB1sHqwwub
— christan (no i), ß (@ChristanWNBA) July 15, 2026
Another questioned the criticism of Engelbert and wondered whether she has been a positive force for the league.
“I’m intrigued. I’m of the mindset that Cathy has been mostly an asset to the business of the WNBA. The idea that this could be her last year? Idk,” they wrote.
I’m intrigued.
I’m of the mindset that Cathy has been mostly an asset to the business of the WNBA. The idea that this could be her last year? Idk. https://t.co/nKqpCI7vwZ— Courtside Kenny (@courtsidekenny) July 15, 2026
Criticism of Engelbert has grown in recent weeks, with many claiming that she is not doing a good job of protecting the Clark and the rest of the WNBA from online abuse and harassment.
Several U.S. lawmakers also sent Engelbert a letter earlier this month, demanding accountability for the overly aggressive fouls against Clark, as well as protection for players from online abuse and threats.
