Adam Silver Pressuring Cathy Engelbert to Suspend Alyssa Thomas Baffles Fans – “Unfit to be the Commissioner”

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has been under increasing pressure to play fair with the players.

Adam Silver Pressuring Cathy Engelbert to Suspend Alyssa Thomas Baffles Fans – “Unfit to be the Commissioner”

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and Adam Silver (Image via FirstSportz)

When Alyssa Thomas landed her fist to the throat of Caitlin Clark, WNBA fans implored commissioner Cathy Engelbert to take action against the Phoenix Mercury star.

They felt that Thomas had intentionally done so, as the ball was already out of the Fever guard’s hands, and even her fiancé, DeWanna Bonner, and another teammate were looking in the direction of the ball.

Others used technical logic to point out that no player lands on their hands if they lose balance. Every athlete knows that they will get injured, which is why there is possible intent in that play.

Some tried to suggest the opposite and were immediately admonished for suggesting so. But nothing drew more outrage than when the officials and the league did not bother to review the play.

Clark’s head coach was furious, and so were the fans. Eventually, the WNBA announced that it had reviewed the play and awarded Alyssa Thomas a Flagrant 2 and a 1-game suspension.

Many were still not happy, as they felt the intent was enough to warrant a longer punishment. However, it is now being reported that Cathy Engelbert did not even want to hand out any suspension.

Multiple sources told SBJ that Adam Silver implored WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to reverse course and suspend Alyssa Thomas. Engelbert subsequently suspended Thomas for one game and ordered a Flagrant 2 penalty that carried a $1,000 fine.

Sports Business Journal reported

This means the WNBA Commissioner did not want to do what fans wanted. But watching the outrage, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, her boss, intervened and ensured Thomas received a suspension.

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Fans tear into Cathy Engelbert

When this news dropped, it quickly drew the ire of fans, as they realized that Cathy Engelbert had no intention of punishing Alyssa Thomas despite her controversial foul against Caitlin Clark.

They remarked that this was another instance that proved that the Commissioner has long loathed the Indiana Fever superstar, particularly since the latter is the one who is often praised for helping the WNBA make strides. Check out those reactions below.

In Cathy Engelbert’s defense, she may have been trying to keep the peace in her league. She felt that any punishment would point towards favoritism and also paint the officials in a bad light.

However, fans have already noted how she did not do anything when the Mercury mocked Caitlin Clark with a graphical depiction of the Alyssa Thomas incident. That should have proved how resentful others are of her.

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Cathy Engelbert could be replaced after 2026 season

Cathy Engelbert has faced boos from fans, which was the first sign that her popularity had diminished to the point where it was becoming troublesome to the league.

Cathy Engelbert's job is at stake
Cathy Engelbert’s job is at stake (Image via Awful Announcing/X)

On top of that, when Napheesa Collier revealed the Commissioner’s opinions about Caitlin Clark, there were rumblings that she would be let go after the 2025 season.

However, when she managed to get both the players and team owners to agree to a landmark deal, her boss, Adam Silver, decided to give her some reprieve.

Engelbert is expected to be let go as WNBA Commissioner at the end of this season.

Evan Sidery remarked on X

The insider learned this from sources, as did the Sports Business Journal after this latest fiasco. There is a growing belief that once Silver had to intervene, the situation has turned for the worse for Cathy Engelbert, and she could be out of her job after this season concludes.

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