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WNBA commissioner releases statement after Alyssa Thomas call-out
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert releases statement after Alyssa Thomas call-out

By Clark Dalton  |  Last updated Jun 30, 2026 10:20 PM ET
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WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert responded after Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas criticized her on Tuesday. 

Thomas told the media she has since received death threats and been called racial slurs for her incident with Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark last week, which she says was a "complete accident." During the second quarter of a 111-109 Mercury win, Thomas shoved her fist in Clark's throat. No foul was called on the play, but she was later assessed a flagrant 2 and suspended for one game. 

Engelbert released a statement after Thomas revealed she had been the victim of written and verbal abuse. 

Cathy Engelbert speaks on Alyssa Thomas situation 

"The WNBA vehemently condemns all forms of hate," she said (h/t Yahoo Sports). "The safety and well-being of everyone in our community is always the league's top priority. We are aware of Alyssa Thomas' comments, and what she said, and her teammates have experienced is completely unacceptable and not representative of the WNBA community. The league and our security team have been in contact with the Phoenix Mercury organization and remain committed to protecting all players."

Thomas said neither Engelbert nor her representatives had spoken to her before the statement was released. ESPN's Alexa Philippou reported that she had texted Thomas and the Mercury but had not called either.  

"We still have yet to hear anything from Cathy, it's no surprise," Thomas said. "As usual, she remains silent, and that's unfortunate when our lives are being threatened."

This adds to Thomas' frustrations with the commissioner. She said this isn't the first time she or other WNBA players have been subject to online abuse. 

"We're so concerned about our safety on the court, but time and time again, we're having people threaten our lives," she said. "Leaking addresses out there. Put crazy pictures that have nothing to do with basketball."

The league says it's doing what it can to protect players, but it failed to do so in the past. In 2024, a fan approached and "harassed" former Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter (now with the Las Vegas Aces) as she exited the team bus. The incident came after she shoved Clark during a game. 

Engelbert says the league is taking steps to protect players better. However, it clearly needs to take more. 

Clark Dalton
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Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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