{"id":8419,"date":"2026-07-17T07:48:20","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T02:48:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=8419"},"modified":"2026-07-17T07:48:20","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T02:48:20","slug":"adam-silver-believes-caitlin-clark-has-become-a-political-football-in-wnba","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=8419","title":{"rendered":"Adam Silver believes Caitlin Clark has become a &#8216;political football&#8217; in WNBA"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<p>Adam Silver thinks the drama surrounding Caitlin Clark goes beyond just foul calls.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>As debates <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/07\/16\/sports\/furious-caitlin-clark-gets-in-face-of-ref-after-not-getting-foul-call\/\">regarding officiating and physical play<\/a> in the WNBA continue on, Silver said Clark has become a \u201cpolitical football\u201d for people\u2019s agendas both in and outside the sport.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUltimately, the issues around Caitlin Clark are not largely about officiating,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/wnba\/story\/_\/id\/49380710\/nba-silver-says-fever-clark-become-political-football\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Silver said<\/a>, \u201cand that particular incident is not about whether a foul should have been called at the time in the game or whether that was ultimately a flagrant on review.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><button class=\"button button--modal-trigger\" aria-label=\"Open the image in a modal.\" data-modal-image=\"40010207\"><br \/>\n\t<default:svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"icon-plus\" fill=\"#fff\" viewbox=\"0 0 1033 1000\" width=\"1em\" height=\"1em\"><default:path d=\"M380 364V0h273v355h380v290H653v355H380V645H0V355h380v9z\"\/><\/default:svg><br \/>\n<\/button><br \/>\n<img style=\"aspect-ratio:1.49707602;display:block\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-modal-image=\"40010207\" width=\"883\" height=\"590\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/indiana-fever-guard-caitlin-clark-134543193.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) passes the ball while Golden State Valkyries forward Cecilia Zandalasini (24) defends.\" class=\"wp-image-40010207\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/indiana-fever-guard-caitlin-clark-134543193.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 3626w, 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https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/indiana-fever-guard-caitlin-clark-134543193.jpg?resize=322,215&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 322w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/indiana-fever-guard-caitlin-clark-134543193.jpg?resize=660,441&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 660w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/indiana-fever-guard-caitlin-clark-134543193.jpg?resize=90,60&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 90w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/indiana-fever-guard-caitlin-clark-134543193.jpg?resize=120,80&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 120w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/indiana-fever-guard-caitlin-clark-134543193.jpg?resize=1200,802&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/indiana-fever-guard-caitlin-clark-134543193.jpg?resize=1038,692&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1038w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/indiana-fever-guard-caitlin-clark-134543193.jpg?resize=87,58&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 87w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/indiana-fever-guard-caitlin-clark-134543193.jpg?resize=50,33&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 883px) 100vw, 883px\"\/><figcaption>Caitlin Clark passes the ball whileCecilia Zandalasini defends in the first half of the Indiana Fever\u2019s loss to the Golden State Valkyries at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. <span class=\"credit\">Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Silver then went on to praise Clark for her character both on and off the court.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI have come to know Caitlin really well,\u201d Silver said. \u201cShe\u2019s an incredible player and also an incredible person. And she wants to focus on being the best player she can.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-primary-tag\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cShe has become a bit of a political football in this country, and I think it\u2019s incredibly unfair to her. I don\u2019t think that issue is ultimately about officiating. It\u2019s become political ping-pong with her. And she\u2019s a young woman who\u2019s trying to improve her game.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The NBA commissioner\u2019s comments stem from a recent play where Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas hit her fist into Clark\u2019s throat and was not initially called for a foul, which sparked outrage.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><button class=\"button button--modal-trigger\" aria-label=\"Open the image in a modal.\" data-modal-image=\"40010212\"><br \/>\n\t<default:svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"icon-plus\" fill=\"#fff\" viewbox=\"0 0 1033 1000\" width=\"1em\" height=\"1em\"><default:path d=\"M380 364V0h273v355h380v290H653v355H380V645H0V355h380v9z\"\/><\/default:svg><br \/>\n<\/button><br \/>\n<img style=\"aspect-ratio:1.49926794;display:block\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-modal-image=\"40010212\" width=\"885\" height=\"590\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks at the 2026 NBA Draft.\" class=\"wp-image-40010212\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 8131w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=300,200&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=768,512&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 768w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=1024,683&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, 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https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=576,384&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 576w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=457,305&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 457w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=440,293&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 440w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=424,282&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 424w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=389,260&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 389w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=360,240&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 360w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=340,227&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 340w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=320,213&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 320w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=314,209&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 314w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=306,204&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 306w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=280,187&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 280w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=260,174&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 260w, 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https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=144,96&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 144w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=107,71&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 107w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=93,62&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 93w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=84,56&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 84w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=60,40&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 60w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=105,70&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 105w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=81,54&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 81w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=200,133&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=231,154&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 231w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=322,215&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 322w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=661,441&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 661w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=90,60&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 90w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=120,80&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 120w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=1200,800&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=1038,692&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1038w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=87,58&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 87w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-speaks-132013985.jpg?resize=50,33&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 885px) 100vw, 885px\"\/><figcaption>NBA commissioner Adam Silver is seen during the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. <span class=\"credit\">AP Photo\/Yuki Iwamura<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The controversial play was <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/07\/15\/sports\/adam-silver-cleaned-up-wnbas-caitlin-clark-mess-with-cathy-engelbert-under-fire\/\">eventually upgraded<\/a> to a flagrant and Thomas was suspended for a game.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Thomas has insisted the play was an accident, saying that she\u2019s received death threats and has criticized WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert for not doing enough to protect players.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Silver, however, maintains that his biggest concern is with improving the quality of WNBA officiating.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t even think it\u2019s fair to her that this has become a separate storyline about one foul,\u201d Silver said, adding: \u201cDo we need to improve WNBA officiating? No doubt about it.\u201d  <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Adam Silver thinks the drama surrounding Caitlin Clark goes beyond just foul calls.\u00a0 As debates regarding officiating and physical play in the WNBA continue on, Silver said Clark has become a \u201cpolitical football\u201d for people\u2019s agendas both in and outside the sport. \u201cUltimately, the issues around Caitlin Clark are not largely about officiating,\u201d Silver said,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8420,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/newspress-collage-wymyk7fcp-1784256056646.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&1784241681&w=1200","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8419","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pics-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8419","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8419"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8419\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8420"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8419"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8419"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8419"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}