NBA Commissioner Adam Silver reportedly had to push WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to suspend Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas after that incident with Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark. This isn't just some rumor floating around, either. According to Sports Business Journal, Silver straight up "implored" Engelbert to act. Talk about a bombshell, right? It makes you wonder what else is going down behind the scenes in the league office when a player crosses a line.
The On-Court Foul That Needed An Off-Court Push
Let's rewind a bit. On June 24, Alyssa Thomas put her fist into Caitlin Clark's throat during a game. Can you believe that? The refs on the court didn't even call a foul in the moment. But the WNBA later came down with a Flagrant Foul 2 penalty, slapping Thomas with a one-game suspension and a $1,000 fine for "recklessly making contact with her fist to the throat area." Here's the kicker though: SBJ reports that Engelbert initially had zero plans to impose any discipline on Thomas. That's wild! The publication's sources indicated that Silver saw "clear evidence of a flagrant foul," felt badly for Clark, and reportedly told Engelbert she absolutely "had to act." Thankfully, WNBA rules do allow the league office to review and reclassify any foul not called during a game and impose further action. But the fact that it took Silver to get the ball rolling? That's a huge red flag.Is Cathy Engelbert On The Hot Seat?
This whole situation puts a massive spotlight on WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, and Silver's recent comments aren't exactly calming the waters. Just this week, at an NBA Summer League news conference, Silver was asked about Engelbert's job performance. He said he thinks "Cathy continues to do a strong job building that league," but then added, "We'll have ongoing discussions about what [her] future looks like." Oof. "Ongoing discussions about her future?" That sounds like management-speak for a performance review, or worse. Back in March, when the WNBA signed a new collective bargaining agreement, Silver sang a different tune, saying Engelbert had done a "fantastic job." Engelbert, who is 61, has been commissioner since 2019, and her tenure has been "rocky at times," per the report. And it's not just this Thomas situation, she was criticized just this past week for canceling a scheduled interview with radio host Dan Patrick. This whole mess with Silver having to step in to enforce discipline on a flagrant foul, combined with his cryptic comments about Engelbert's future, really makes you wonder what the vibe is like in the WNBA's front office. Is this an isolated incident, or a sign of deeper issues in leadership? You know all eyes will be on those "ongoing discussions" to see what comes next for the league's commissioner.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.