The WNBA has found itself in the headlines for several controversial officiating and disciplinary debates over the years, and the 2026 season has been no different. From disputed foul calls to postgame reviews, the league has repeatedly come under scrutiny over how it handles incidents involving some of its biggest stars, with commissioner Cathy Engelbert often facing criticism from fans on both sides of the debate.
No incident has generated more discussion this season than the altercation between Caitlin Clark and Alyssa Thomas during an Indiana Fever game against the Phoenix Mercury on June 24. Thomas made contact with Clark’s throat during a loose-ball sequence, but officials did not call a foul on the play. After reviewing the incident, the WNBA upgraded it to a Flagrant 2, suspended Thomas for one game and issued a $1,000 fine.
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A new report, however, suggests that the punishment may not have originated with the WNBA itself. Sports Business Journal’s Tom Friend reported Wednesday that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver urged Engelbert to “reverse course and suspend Thomas.”
The report left fans divided and has sparked another wave of criticism aimed at Engelbert. Some questioned why the WNBA commissioner allegedly needed encouragement from Silver before taking disciplinary action, while others concluded it was time for Engelbert to step down.
“She had to be told to do that? Jesus. I don’t know how she still has her job,” one fan said.
“Pretty clear Engelbert is not the right commissioner for this new era of the WNBA and has to go,” another fan added.
“Engelbert would have done nothing! Cathy Engelbert needs to be removed!!!” one user wrote.
“Cathy and the whole league office needs to be replaced. Terrible leadership. She’s scared of the clique vet players,” another fan posted.
“If so, she clearly doesn't know how to lead. She needed someone who knows what they're doing to tell her what to do,” read one comment.
“I was told that the WNBA makes its own decisions separate from the NBA and doesn’t answer to Adam Silver. The past several years have proven that to be categorically false,” another remarked.
The fallout from the Clark-Thomas incident eventually reached Capitol Hill. A group of members of Congress sent a letter to Engelbert urging the league to better protect Clark and improve player safety.
