NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is taking a notably passive approach to the safety of the WNBA’s biggest superstar.
Rather than directly addressing the repeated physical treatment of Clark, Silver seemed more interested in tamping down the controversy.
On Thursday, as Silver addressed Clark’s treatment at a CNBC Sports Summit in New York, the commish had an opportunity to demand greater accountability but instead argued that the Clark controversy has been fueled more by politics than by what is happening on the court.
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“I’ve come to know Caitlin really well. 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. … It’s become political ping-pong with her.”
To many Clark supporters, it’s Silver missing the point.
Silver shifted attention away from the repeated hard fouls and physical confrontations that have fueled criticism of the league. Instead, Silver suggested the bigger problem is the controversy surrounding Clark, not the repeated physical play that created it.
“Ultimately, the issues around Caitlin Clark are not largely about officiating, and that particular incident is not about whether a foul should have been called at the time …”
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Clark’s supporters have watched the Fever star absorb hard foul after hard foul this season, making Silver’s explanation a tough sell.
But Silver’s reported involvement raises even more questions. According to multiple reports, he consulted with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert before Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas was suspended following the controversial throat strike.
Asked point-blank about the report, Silver wouldn’t confirm or deny it.
“I’m not going to comment on [the Engelbert report], because I don’t think it’s fair to Caitlin, and to Cathy Engelbert either.”
While Silver did acknowledge one area that needs improvement, saying, “Do we need to improve WNBA officiating? No doubt about it,” he quickly pivoted away from the larger questions surrounding Clark’s treatment.
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At a time when the WNBA needed action, Silver chose optics.
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