The tension between WNBA players and league leadership just hit a boiling point. Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas didn't hold back this week when she called out Commissioner Cathy Engelbert for staying quiet while Thomas and her teammates received death threats following an on-court incident.
It all started last Wednesday when Thomas accidentally struck Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark in the throat during a scramble for a loose ball. The league reviewed the play and handed Thomas a one-game suspension. Thomas maintains it was unintentional, but that hasn't stopped a wave of online vitriol from flooding her social media feeds.
“I’m crazy, you know, the playing the game, being suspended, just the whole narrative that’s being painted out there,” Thomas told reporters. “It’s unfortunate that it’s come to this over basketball. A lot of us, myself included, didn’t even know the play took place until after, you know, the game. And, you know, now we’re being painted as thugs, and there’s death threats out on us. So it’s really unacceptable. It’s something that needs to change in this league.”
Thomas then took direct aim at Engelbert, saying the commissioner had not issued any public statement about the threats over the past six days. “We still have yet to hear anything from Cathy,” Thomas said. “You can see what’s being said … As usual, she remains silent, and that’s unfortunate when our lives are being threatened.”
Engelbert didn’t stay quiet for long. Just two hours after Thomas’ comments, the commissioner released a statement condemning hate and promising action. “The WNBA vehemently condemns any and all forms of hate. The safety and well-being of everyone in our community is always the league’s top priority,” Engelbert said. “We are aware of Alyssa Thomas’ comments, and what she said her and her teammates have experienced is completely unacceptable and not representative of the WNBA community. The league and our security team have been in contact with the Phoenix Mercury organization and remain committed to protecting all players.”
The incident has reignited debate about the league's handling of player safety. Fever guard Sophie Cunningham also criticized the WNBA on her podcast, saying the league and referees do nothing to protect Clark from harsh fouls. “None of our team saw it happen, because I promise you if we would have seen that happen then we would’ve had her back. Unfortunately, this type of [expletive] happens every single game to her and the league and the refs do absolutely nothing nothing about it,” Cunningham said. “You see the videos of literally kneeing and cheap-shotting Caitlin in the throat. They are definitely targeting her, and the league and the refs do nothing to protect her.”
Meanwhile, the Mercury have rallied around Thomas, expressing frustration over both the suspension and the threats. The league’s response will be closely watched as the season continues.
