The WNBA’s scrutiny of protecting Caitlin Clark from blatant physicality has been deafening over the last week. Now, that noise has reached the US Lawmakers, as members of the Congress have drafted a letter to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert demanding answers in this matter. Amid this, Congressman Zach Nunn has shed light on the significance of the letter while lauding the Fever guard for her impact on the sport.

“Caitlin Clark is a West Des Moines hero,” he wrote via his X handle. “She’s brought millions of eyeballs and a billion dollars to women’s basketball, and she’s an inspiration to young women across the country – including my daughters.”

“She’s also the 4th most fouled player in the league, and in her rookie season, she drew 17% of ALL flagrant fouls.”

For context, Nunn represents Iowa’s 3rd congressional district. Yes, the same Iowa that Clark belongs to as well. Born in Des Moines, CC has forged herself into a superwoman during her years with the Iowa Hawkeyes, as Nunn clearly elaborates in his post.

Notably, Nunn was among the Congressmen who signed the letter sent to the WNBA commissioner. The primary goal of this letter is to provide a clear assessment of what the league is doing to protect its players (including Clark) from excessive physicality and social media trolls and harassment, and to create a safe environment across the league.

Now, the subject of excessive physicality has existed since Clark’s arrival in the W. From Marina Mabrey’s shove on her last season to physical blocks, Clark has faced every bit of it. However, the Alyssa Thomas incident a few weeks back became the melting point in this regard.

It was the second Indiana-Phoenix matchup of the season when, during a loose-ball play, Thomas had seemingly hit Clark on her throat. No foul was called on the court, and it was after the game that the league reviewed the play and upgraded it to a flagrant foul.

It raised several questions about the league’s officiating. Some analysts are even demanding answers from the WNBA about how it could let this happen to one of its most marketable athletes. Even her teammate, Sophie Cunningham, is coming forward to say the league isn’t doing anything about it.

“Unfortunately, this type of s*** happens every single game to her. And the league and the refs do absolutely nothing about it,” Cunningham had said during the Show Me Something podcast.

Even Caitlin Clark herself has rightly stated it in the media. “Our ref team just needs to be better,” Clark had said as per the Indiana Fever’s YouTube channel days after the foul. “So, I think for us, I guess the league needs to do a better job protecting its players.”

Congressman Zach Nunn is out fronting these same issues in the league. He is demanding answers from them in an even more profound way. And Nunn isn’t even the only one to echo this sentiment.

Congressman August Pfluger Shares a Clear-Cut Assessment of WNBA Commissioner Amid the Caitlin Clark Debate

In light of the letter to WNBA, Congressman August Pfluger has urged the WNBA Commissioner to take accountability for the excessive physicality in the league around Caitlin Clark and set an example going forward.

“The question we’re asking is simple: Will the WNBA protect its players or won’t it?” Pfluger said, as per USA Today. “Commissioner Engelbert can hold those responsible for the violence against Caitlin Clark accountable and show the next generation of female athletes this league is safe, or she can keep turning a blind eye to it while the violence continues on national television.”

With several lawmakers involved in this debate, the physicality debate is much more than just basketball now. These statements and the external pressure will definitely put every decision of the WNBA under the microscope from this point.

Officiating is also an element of the game that the league needs to address. While efficient officiating can bring physicality to check. However, it will be worth waiting to see whether the WNBA adopts a stricter approach to maintaining a balance in physicality around Caitlin Clark and every other player in the league.