Protect Caitlin Clark: Riley Gaines Applauds as Congress Demands WNBA Take Action Against ‘Targeted Violence’

Members of congress have sent a memo to the WNBA with a warning of investigations if Caitlin Clark is not protected.

Protect Caitlin Clark: Riley Gaines Applauds as Congress Demands WNBA Take Action Against ‘Targeted Violence’

Caitlin Clark and Riley Gaines (Image via FirstSportz)

It has been two weeks since Alyssa Thomas and Caitlin Clark became national headlines. The incident between the two, where the former’s fist connected with the latter’s neck, blew up the internet, as well as mainstream media.

While fans raged at the fact that no foul was called during or after that play, they demanded that the league improve its officiating before this gets worse.

This drew up an entire new discourse about how Clark still faces jealousy and apparent hatred from her peers. Then, when the league reviewed the incident and awarded Thomas a one-game suspension, the barbarians were at the gates again.

They felt that the fist to the throat was not a basketball play, and hence should have been treated as an act of malice. Since then, both Clark and her coaches and her teammates have pointed out that the incident was indeed a flagrant foul and should have been picked up by the officials.

Finally, some adults in the room. Thank you to these Republican Members of Congress for holding the WNBA accountable on the disgusting treatment of Caitlin Clark. She’s been the subject of targeted violence. Protect your athletes or stop pretending to care about women’s sports.

Riley Gaines wrote on X

The activist pointed out that the WNBA has done nothing to protect the golden goose. Riley Gaines believes that since the league has not done enough, it is time that Congress takes matters into its own hands and starts an investigation.

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Congressional group threatens WNBA with DOJ investigation

The last time members of Congress took interest in whatever was happening in the WNBA was when Caitlin Clark faced body checks and brutal fouls during her rookie season.

Alyssa Thomas (middle) with her fist at Caitlin Clark's throat
Alyssa Thomas (middle) with her fist at Caitlin Clark’s throat (Image via Grace Smith/X)

Back then, Stephan A. Smith warned that if this escalates, then the President might be drawn into it. If that happens, the WNBA can forget about ever recovering from the fallout.

Nearly a dozen congressmen, including some lawmakers from Indiana, Texas, and some from Clark’s home state of Iowa, sent this memo with what is essentially a warning.

They reiterated that if the WNBA does not take steps to safeguard the two-time All-Star, they would invoke an investigation.

They mentioned that they would support the Department of Justice, the Department of Labor, or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to start looking into it, as they believe the league has violated a few federal laws when it comes to its handling of Caitlin Clark.

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Caitlin Clark had no hand in Congress’s interference

When everyone felt that this entire Alyssa Thomas-Caitlin Clark, this course was about to die down, this new memo has brought the league back into focus.

Soon after this Letter came to the forefront, it was natural that reporters would ask the Indiana Fever, Caitlin Clark, and her coaches whether they were asked for any input.

Our organization nor Caitlin have had any interaction with anyone in this congressional group and we were unaware of their letter. We have been clear in our public comments and in our ongoing dialogue with the league about the priority of player safety.

Fever’s statement

This is the Fever, making it clear that neither their playmaker nor any of their staff members have established contact with this group of lawmakers.

They reminded everyone that they have already taken a stand against the incident, as was reiterated by head coach Stephanie White during her first conference after the event.

The problem is that this response came only from the Fever. The league so far has not talked about it. That is likely to draw some questions as they have now come into the purview of Congress.

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