WNBA's Engelbert Cancels Dan Patrick Interview as Caitlin Clark Dispute Reaches 11 GOP Lawmakers
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 11
WNBA's Engelbert Cancels Dan Patrick Interview as Caitlin Clark Dispute Reaches 11 GOP Lawmakers
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 11
Summary
Dan Patrick said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert scrapped a scheduled Thursday interview after the league’s PR staff told her she was “not allowed” to appear, despite the show waiting nearly two hours.
Patrick said he planned to press Engelbert on Caitlin Clark and WNBA expansion, and argued the cancellation deprived the league of a chance to answer mounting questions in a mainstream national forum.
Those questions have intensified since Clark was punched in the throat by Alyssa Thomas on June 25; Thomas later drew a one-game suspension, but Patrick said the league never answered his producers’ request for comment.
The controversy widened after Clark finished 11th in player All-Star voting despite top-five rankings in points and assists, prompting public criticism from Candace Parker and other observers.
Capitol Hill has now entered the dispute, with 11 Republican lawmakers urging Engelbert to address hostility toward Clark and suggesting a DOJ review, while Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White declined to engage.