Caitlin Clark said the growing hostility around WNBA players has gone too far, speaking out Friday against the harassment directed at her, her Indiana Fever teammates, coaches and opponents.
Clark addressed the issue after several days of fallout from Indiana’s June 24 game against the Phoenix Mercury, when Alyssa Thomas’ hand made contact with Clark’s throat and later received a one-game suspension. Thomas said afterward she had received death threats and racist abuse, adding to a wider conversation about player safety and online behavior around the league.
“The harassment, the hate. None of that is OK,” Clark said. “That goes for the opposing teams we play, that goes for my teammates, that goes for my coaches.”
Clark said criticism of play on the court is part of professional sports, but attacks on a player’s character or identity cross a line.
“There should never be question of character,” Clark said. “That’s truly what I believe, that’s how I was raised. So, none of that is OK and I don’t want anyone to experience that.”
Fever coach Stephanie White also condemned the tone of the discussion this week, saying the league has seen an increase in “toxicity, racism, homophobia” and other hateful comments, particularly online.
Clark said she was frustrated that the incident continued to dominate coverage days after the game, arguing that it took attention away from the rest of the league.
“When I turned the TV on Sunday, and that game was on Wednesday and that’s all people were talking about,” Clark said. “I feel like that’s such a disservice to the rest of our league.”
The WNBA has expanded player-safety efforts in recent seasons, including tools to monitor online threats and additional mental health resources.
Clark, who remains sidelined by a back injury, said she practiced Friday and is hopeful she can return soon but won’t play Sunday when the Fever visit the Las Vegas Aces. For the season, Clark is averaging 21.2 points, 8.2 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 17 games.
–Field Level Media
