Caitlin Clark, the WNBA, and the Lack of Rules Enforcement

August 25, 2025

By: Americae Primus

Caitlin Clark, the WNBA, and the Lack of Rules Enforcement

In 2024, a generational talent entered the WNBA draft. Her name is Caitlin Clark, the first overall pick by the Indiana Fever. Clark is the NCAA all-time scoring leader in Division I basketball for both men and women. Once the 2024 season began, the WNBA saw a significant increase in viewership, particularly for games featuring Clark. Merchandise sales surged, and some teams moved games involving the Fever to larger arenas to capitalize on her popularity. These trends continued into 2025, but so has the overly physical play directed at Clark, to the point that she is currently sidelined due to a quad injury and two groin muscle injuries.

Why is this happening, people ask? It is simply because she is being targeted by other players in the league, both current and former. Some seem unable to accept that a straight, white, Catholic woman from Iowa can outperform them. They feel she should not be the face of the league. This is evident in how WNBA referees turn a blind eye to the constant fouling of Clark, some of which appears intended to injure her during games.

The WNBA played its first season in 1997 after being founded in 1996. The league started with eight teams across two conferences, East and West. From its inception through the end of its 27th season in 2024, the WNBA has operated at a financial loss. Without subsidies from the NBA and its owners, the league would not exist today. With the arrival of Caitlin Clark and other 2024 draft players, the league gained new momentum and is heading toward its first potentially profitable season. However, this progress is threatened by the targeting of Clark by some veteran players who complain that she is stealing their spotlight and minimizing their contributions.

Over time, the WNBA has become more of an activist league than a sports league. Many WNBA players are part of the LGBTQ+ community and advocate for their identities. Some appear to dislike those who do not share their lifestyle and have become increasingly political in their public statements. While some non-LGBTQ+ players have had successful careers in the league, Clark, who performs at an exceptional level, is being targeted by some within the LGBTQ+ group. There is also a racial element at play. Some players of color have accused the new fans Clark brought from her college career of being racist. Clark, however, does not support this ideology and has publicly stated she wants no association with it. She keeps her politics out of the game and does not discuss them publicly, which is appropriate, as sports should not be a platform for such matters. Clark has always shown respect for veteran players, citing figures like Sue Bird, whom she idolized as a child, as inspirations.

Yet, during the 2025 season, the rough play and fouling of Clark have created an unsafe work environment for her and others like her. The league allows fouls intended to injure to go unpunished. A prime example occurred during the 2024 playoffs when the Indiana Fever faced the Connecticut Sun. Player Dijonai Carrington poked Clark in the eye with her acrylic nails, causing a black eye and possibly blurred vision for the rest of the series. Other incidents from Clark’s rookie year include the Chennedy Carter incident, a dead-ball situation where Carter approached Clark, used an expletive, and body-checked her to the floor for no apparent reason other than targeting her. This season, Clark has spent numerous days on the injured list due to muscular issues, including a quad strain and two groin injuries, the second of which appeared to result from an intentional knee to her right leg.

Recently, some pundits have called for an investigation by the Trump administration’s Department of Justice into possible civil rights violations concerning Clark. They argue that the WNBA must protect not only Clark but all players, as the overly physical style of play—described by some fans as “prison yard basketball”—poses risks. Stephen A. Smith of ESPN recently supported an article by Sean McLean in The Wall Street Journal, which suggested that if the WNBA does not protect Clark, the DOJ should investigate the hostile work environment and consider eliminating the WNBA’s antitrust exemption. Clark has not commented on this proposed investigation, as she simply wants to play basketball.

Some may argue that Clark has brought this treatment upon herself, but how could she when she has not publicly addressed her treatment one way or the other? She has questioned why she doesn’t receive calls for the fouls targeted at her game after game.

The players and league are negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement. If no agreement is reached, a strike or lockout by either side is possible. Currently, WNBA owners hold the upper hand, as some players continue to target Clark, the player who has brought new viewers and fans to the league, yet they attempt to prevent her from being the star the league needs. Both sides need to negotiate a deal, but the players—though not all—seek a larger share of revenue and bigger contracts despite the league’s history of financial losses. Additionally, two founders of a competing league, Unrivaled, hold leadership roles in the WNBPA, presenting a significant conflict of interest.

Should league leadership, on-court officials, owners, and fellow players be held accountable for what is happening to Clark? I believe so. A change in league leadership is necessary to stop this violence. If it continues, someone could be severely injured, potentially ending their ability to play the game they love. Is this something we want to see? Would you want this for your child? Or is it something you are indifferent about? My position is clear: the violence must stop, rules need to be revised, and they must be enforced without fear of repercussions.