NBA Commissioner Adam Silver defended WNBA star Caitlin Clark on Thursday during the Game Plan Summit, stating that the rookie guard has unfairly become a political target amid ongoing debates regarding league officiating and physical play.
As reported by The Guardian, the discussions intensified following an incident during a June 24 game between the Indiana Fever and the Phoenix Mercury.
>>> Spain Equals European Record with 37-Game Unbeaten Run
Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas made contact with her fist to Clark's throat, which the league later upgraded to a flagrant foul, resulting in a one-game suspension for Thomas.
Silver addressed the situation during an onstage conversation with Andrew Ross Sorkin at the event, which was presented by CNBC and Boardroom.
"Ultimately, the issues around Caitlin Clark are not largely about officiating," said Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner.
The commissioner emphasized that the specific physical play should not be the focal point of a larger narrative surrounding the rookie player.
"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," said Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner.
Silver also declined to comment on a Sports Business Journal report claiming he influenced WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to suspend Thomas, a report the WNBA called absolutely false.
