NBA Commissioner Adam Silver believes that the ongoing discussions and controversies surrounding WNBA player Caitlin Clark have transcended on-court play and officiating, labeling her a "political football." Silver suggested that agendas both within and outside the sport are utilizing the situation involving Clark for their own purposes.
"Ultimately, the issues around Caitlin Clark are not largely about officiating," Silver stated, emphasizing that the recent incident in question was not solely about whether a specific foul call was made or reviewed.
Silver praised Clark's character and dedication to improving her game, noting, "She has become a bit of a political football in this country, and I think it’s incredibly unfair to her. ... She’s a young woman who’s trying to improve her game."
The commissioner's remarks come in the wake of an incident where Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas struck Clark in the throat. While not initially called a foul, the play was later upgraded to a flagrant foul, resulting in Thomas's suspension for one game. Thomas has maintained the play was accidental and has voiced criticism towards WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert for not adequately protecting players.
Despite the specific incident, Silver maintains that the broader concern remains the overall quality of officiating in the WNBA. "Do we need to improve WNBA officiating? No doubt about it," he added.