A group of 11 Republican lawmakers, led by U.S. Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas), sent a letter to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert on Wednesday “demanding the league take ‘accountability’ for ‘multiple attacks’ against” Fever G Caitlin Clark, according to Kendra Andrews of ESPN.com. In the letter, Clark is “described as ‘the face of your league’ and someone who has generated fan interest, increased television ratings and new corporate sponsors.” It also suggests that Clark is “on the receiving end of ‘unnecessary physical hostility and violence.’” The lawmakers said that they are “concerned by reports that ‘attacks against Clark may be racially motivated.’” The group of lawmakers “requested that Engelbert and the WNBA reply to its letter no later than July 24 with answers to three questions about the league’s review process for ‘physical hostility and violence on the court,’ how the league holds players accountable for ‘overly aggressive acts on the court,’ and what steps the league is taking to protect players from online harassment.” The Fever, though, said that they “were unaware of the letter” (ESPN.com, 7/8). Pfluger added in the letter that if Engelbert and the WNBA “don’t act to protect” Clark, “action from the Department of Justice, Department of Labor or Equal Employment Opportunity Commission could follow” (USA TODAY, 7/8).
