Though I'm still a sports fan, I don't watch as many games as I used to, primarily because I got fed up with the wokeness and politics that were increasingly being injected into just about every part of it. This is precisely why I've probably watched like two WNBA games in the league's 30-year existence.
When University of Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball phenom Caitlin Clark entered the WNBA scene in 2024, her woke detractors - some who were WNBA players and some who weren't - immediately chimed in with criticisms, with much of it being catty and uncalled for, likely borne out of jealousy, and with some of it, unfortunately, tinged with racial undertones.
And once Clark made it onto the pro basketball court as an Indiana Fever player, those on the opposing teams made sure to let her know that they didn't appreciate how much attention she brought to the sport, despite the fact that Clark's arrival brought an infusion of exactly what the failing league needed: more fans, ticket and merch sales, and press. It certainly didn't solve all of the WNBA's self-inflicted problems, but it was a definite boost.
SEE ALSO: Brittney Griner Said What About Caitlin Clark?
The way they let her know it was not just by trash talking, which you expect in competitive sports, but by fouling her in ways that, had it happened off court, could have been considered assault with intent to harm. The refs would look the other way, pretend they didn't see them, with the WNBA following suit.
Fast forward three years, and it's still happening, as evidenced by this sequence of events during a Wednesday game between the Phoenix Mercury and the Indiana Fever:
With 6:52 left in the second period, Clark drove into the lane and stumbled onto her side after some contact with defender Lexi Held. Held, DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas collapsed on Clark in pursuit of the ball. Amid the scramble, Thomas appeared to push her fist into Clark's neck then got up and stepped over the top of Clark.
Watch:
What are we even doing here? Brutal cheap shot. These women would still be flying commercial without Caitlin and this is how she is treated. Insane pic.twitter.com/yTkZEyrQFG
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) June 25, 2026
🔥Hold up…A closer look at the dirty play by Alyssa Thomas last night w/ a new angle — Wait for the freeze + zoom on each.
— HeroOfTheDay (@Hero_OfThe_Day) June 25, 2026
- Knee to the groin
- Pinches her underarm
- Fist to the throat
- Attempt to stomp on her (she moved)
Why do @WNBA players hate Caitlin Clark so much? 🤯 pic.twitter.com/83JZSChdEu
Fever coach Stephanie White was understandably upset that what she saw as two flagrant fouls against Clark weren't called, and she pointed out that Clark is treated differently than the other players. "She is not called the same way everybody else is called."
Stephanie White went off on the officials for not calling what she deemed two "cheap shots" on Caitlin Clark.
— espnW (@espnW) June 25, 2026
Clark exited in the second half because of back issues. pic.twitter.com/gj1Y1GfiOC
Incredibly, the Phoenix Mercury X account made matters worse by tweeting and then deleting a rendering showing one of the players involved in the incident, DeWanna Bonner, mocking Clark shielding herself from the attack:
You may delete the post but WE DO NOT FORGET THE CLASSLESS ORGANIZATION YOU ARE pic.twitter.com/JWMH0BvM57
— Hprazers(Steff) (@hprazers25413) June 25, 2026
The Phoenix Mercury accidentally uploaded the censored version of events.
— Evelyn DR (@prettygirle2004) June 25, 2026
I simply restored the missing footage to better reflect the historical record.
Director’s Cut. 🎬✅💀@PhoenixMercury @IndianaFever @AmberLCox @LD_ChalkTalk @sophaller @CaitlinClark22 @cbrennansports… pic.twitter.com/VXZN4Nosa2
Here's a lowlight reel of some of the other times this has happened to Clark over the last three years:
3rd year in a row the WNBA said it’s free hunting season on Caitlin Clark smh pic.twitter.com/eaqZ3qjWGA
— tek (@baby22goat) June 25, 2026
And to add insult to injury, the WNBA left its star player off of its 30th anniversary poster:
The WNBA left Caitlin Clark off their 30th anniversary poster. We have truly never seen anything like this. The league got a golden goose and is doing everything they can to kill her. https://t.co/CMXrJujwgX
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) June 25, 2026
I have never in my life seen a sports league so hellbent on self-sabotage. Let's see how much crying they do once Caitlin Clark decides she's had enough and leaves. I, for one, won't be shedding a single tear.
Update: Well, whaddaa ya know? A broken clock is right twice a day.
Breaking: Alyssa Thomas is suspended for one game after receiving a Flagrant foul 2 penalty for recklessly making contact with her fist to the throat area of Caitlin Clark, the WNBA announced. pic.twitter.com/N0BjpCQora
— ESPN (@espn) June 25, 2026
Editor's Note: Do you enjoy RedState's conservative reporting that takes on the radical left and woke media? Support our work so that we can continue to bring you the truth.
Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to receive 60% off your membership.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member