If you were watching on June 24, you saw it. Caitlin Clark took a hard shot to the throat and no one blew the whistle. The league sorted it out afterward — a flagrant foul and a one-game suspension — after Caitlin had already gone down with an injury that sidelined her for the next two weeks.
Zoom out: This keeps happening. Over the past three seasons, the league has upgraded at least five hard fouls on Caitlin after review — three of them after the game was already over. The WNBA has benefited tremendously from Caitlin’s impact on the game. It hasn’t done nearly as well protecting her.
What we’re doing: Last week, I sent a letter to the WNBA Commissioner asking for answers to three straightforward questions by July 24, the opening of All-Star weekend:
1️⃣ How does the league review dangerous on-court conduct?
2️⃣ What steps are being taken to hold players accountable for unnecessary violence?
3️⃣ What is the league doing to address the harassment and threats players face off the court?
Iowans have been cheering for Caitlin since her days at Dowling Catholic. She didn’t ask to become the face of women’s basketball — she simply shows up, competes, and plays the game the right way. As a dad of five daughters, I believe every athlete deserves to compete in a safe environment, and here’s why I’m not letting this one go. ⬇️
Bottom Line: Iowa has Caitlin’s back. I’ll keep pushing the league for answers and advocating for a game that’s called fairly and consistently — for Caitlin, for every player on the court, and for every girl who dreams of competing at the highest level.