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On Friday night Indiana Fever point-guard Caitlin Clark made history by becoming the first WNBA player to score a 40-point, 10-assist game in a match against the Seattle Storm at home in Indianapolis.
It's a stunning achievement, made all the more remarkable considering mere weeks ago Clark was thrown to the floor and took a fist to the throat from Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas during another home game in Indiana.
No foul was called against Thomas at the time despite her aggressive behavior. Only after a review a full day later did the WNBA upgrade the incident to a Flagrant 2 violation, suspend Thomas for one game and issue a fine. It was a glaring example of the league's failure to protect its biggest star - and clear evidence as I see it that the WNBA and its Commissioner Cathy Engelbert are not doing their job.
The Thomas jab was hardly an isolated cheap shot. Clark has been hip-checked, poked in the eye and targeted beyond any sense of normal play for the past two years. Her coach, Stephanie White, called out this pattern after the June Mercury game, describing it as 'egregious' and 'unacceptable.' In late June, teammate Sophie Cunningham said that other players are 'definitely targeting' Clark.
Yet Engelbert's response has been tepid. Reports suggest it was actually NBA Commissioner Adam Silver who finally persuaded Engelbert to issue that suspension against Thomas.
Little Done to Defend Clark
Clark, the league's biggest draw, is being treated like a tackling dummy. Yet I believe that the commissioner who should be safeguarding players, fans and the league's future does little to defend her.
At a time when player safety should be non-negotiable, Engelbert has allowed a culture of on-court pile-ons to fester.
Since going pro in 2024, Clark has brought record ratings, sold-out arenas, new sponsors and new fans to women's basketball. But rather than capitalizing on this bonanza, the league seems intent on dimming Clark's spotlight to placate its resentful veterans.
Much of that resentment appears driven by Clark identity; she's white and heterosexual in a league that's largely lesbian and African American. Clark has become the face, if not hero, of the league, yet many believe such accolades should belong to someone else. She doesn't fit the preferred narrative, so instead of embracing the growth she delivers, Clark has been targeted with cheap shots and subtle digs.
This isn't just tough competition - it's mean girl resentment dressed up as professional basketball. And it's driving fans away while exposing the league to outside scrutiny Engelbert should have prevented.
On July 8, a group of 11 Republican lawmakers led by Rep. August Pfluger of Texas sent a letter to Engelbert citing repeated acts of 'unnecessary physical hostility and violence' against Clark. They warned of potential Department of Justice and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) investigations over a hostile work environment.
Outsiders Step In
I don't love politicians inserting themselves into sports. Their purview is policy, not officiating. But Engelbert's inaction created the vacuum and they filled it. When sporting leagues fail to police themselves, outsiders have often stepped in.
Outside forces intervened in the case of USA Gymnastics, which failed to protect young athletes from Larry Nassar, the former doctor of the US Women's national team. Nassar was convicted in 2017 of sexually abusing hundreds of young women over more than two decades.
Tasked with overseeing America's national gymnastics teams, USA Gymnastics prioritized reputation and sponsorship dollars over athlete safety. Only after congressional action in 2017, followed by the passing of the Safe Sport Act in 2018, were much-needed protections and oversight introduced.
I was the first gymnast to speak out against Nassar's abuse in the sport in my book 'Chalked Up' and later, detailed Nassar's crimes in my Emmy-award winning documentary Athlete A.
The parallels between women's gymnastics and basketball are imprecise but uncomfortable: institutions that refuse to self-correct invite heavier hands. In the WNBA's case, more political involvement will further turn Clark into a cultural lightning-rod rather than letting her just play ball and win.
The 'Clark Effect'
The commissioner's job is to lead so outsiders don't have to. As I see it, Engelbert, despite publicly praising Clark as a 'transformational player,' has failed at that, which could hurt the business of women's basketball.
Clark is a generational talent who has transformed the league's visibility thanks to what many have dubbed the 'Caitlin Clark effect.' Her games shatter records, both in terms of stadium seats and at-home viewers.
Before Clark, the league averaged roughly 300,000 viewers per game; those with Clark now regularly top one million. She's inspiring young girls (of all races and future sexual identities), driving revenue and proving there's massive, untapped potential for the sport. The WNBA has never been profitable and is subsidized by the NBA; this should be its moment to reach profitability.
Yet I believe that Engelbert is refusing to fully harness its growth engine. Instead of decisively protecting the star, she appeases players who don't like what Clark's face may represent.
As commissioner, Engelbert has a fiduciary responsibility to grow the league, maximize value for owners, players and fans and make smart strategic decisions for long-term success.
The WNBA's Path Forward
Placating egos at the expense of the bottom line violates that duty. Fans pick the stars – it's always been that way. Players need to get on board or get left behind.
The WNBA was struggling before Clark brought eyeballs, merch sales and buzz. A decisive commissioner would market her relentlessly, crack down on targeted fouls, set expectations for sportsmanship and build around her success. This would benefit all.
Women's sports deserve better. Athletes deserve protection, excellence rewarded and talents valued. Fans deserve a product that celebrates its stars. The business deserves leadership that embraces growth with decisiveness.
The golden goose is waiting. The WNBA needs to protect it, nurture it and allow Clark to continue making history.
Jennifer Sey is the 1986 Women's National Gymnastics Champion and CEO of XX-XY Athletics
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