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Caitlin Clark's College Coach Calling For WNBA Rule Change

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Jun 19, 2025 11:40 PM ET

Lisa Bluder knows very well that defenses are always keeping a close eye on Caitlin Clark. After all, she coached the WNBA All-Star for four years at Iowa.

Earlier this week, Clark dealt with a few hard hits during the Fever-Sun game. For starters, she got poked in the eye by Jacy Sheldon. A few moments later, Marina Mabrey bumped her to the ground. It was a wild sequence that ended with Clark and Mabrey receiving technical fouls.

Following the Fever's win over the Sun on Tuesday night, Clark let the media know that she's not worried about opposing defenses getting physical with her.

"At the end of the day, I'm here to play basketball... my game's gonna talk and that's all that really matters," Clark told reporters.

Bluder, however, believes the WNBA may have to consider changing their rules.

During a conversation with TMZ Sports, the former Iowa women's basketball coach advocated for more fouls being called in the WNBA.

"It's a part of the WNBA. It's a part of the rules right now, and if we want that to change, I think we have to change the way the game is called," Bluder told TMZ Sports.

Bluder wasn't done discussing the future of the WNBA.

"I think there needs to be more freedom of movement in our game," Bluder said. "Which means, yes, calling more fouls, which people don't like, but people will adjust. The players will adjust. If we start calling more fouls and emphasize the rules, the players will adjust. I think that's the only way to change the behavior. And I think what's gonna happen is more people are gonna enjoy the game."

Fans probably don't want regular-season games to be extended, but calling more fouls would protect Clark and other stars in the WNBA.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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