NEW YORK – NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Thursday that WNBA star Caitlin Clark has become a “political football” amid debates over officiating and physical play. The comment came during a conversation with Andrew Ross Sorkin at the Game Plan Summit, presented by CNBC and Boardroom. Silver explained that the recent incident – a pick‑up by Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas on Clark’s throat during a June 24 game – was not about whether the foul should have been called. Thomas was not flagged on the play, but the league later upgraded it to a flagrant foul and suspended her one game. Thomas later called the contact accidental and said she received death threats and racial slurs after the incident, while also criticizing WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert for not protecting players more.

Clark has lifted WNBA ticket sales and TV ratings, but her career has become surrounded by politics, race and officiating talk. “It’s unfair to her,” Silver said, adding that the league must address officiating issues. Clark and Fever coach Stephanie White condemned threats toward Thomas.

The discussion highlights the growing intersection of sports and social discourse, as fans and leaders grapple with how to keep the game fair while addressing broader cultural concerns. Silver’s remarks signal a call for clearer standards and better protective measures for athletes.