WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert addresses idea Caitlin Clark is being 'targeted'

The conversation about whether Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark is being “targeted” at the WNBA level has made its way to the commissioner’s office. In an interview with USA Today’s Josh Peter, Cathy Engelbert weighed in on the discussion.

Engelbert pointed to Indiana’s game against the Washington Mystics last week – an 85-83 victory – to make her point. In that game, Clark had 30 points, eight rebounds and six assists while adding four steals on the defensive end. She was fouled three times that night, but Engelbert said she didn’t see as much discussion about other players “targeting” her as she did earlier in the year.

Because the Fever won, Engelbert wondered if that impacted how people viewed the game. That said, she praised the fact the “discussion” and said the league routinely looks at games afterward.

“Did anyone say she was targeted in that game?” Engelbert told USA Today. “No, because everyone’s just looking for the outcome that they want.

“But it’s great fandom. It’s great discussion, and I think obviously we continue to look at or review games after the fact.”

The conversation about the fouls Clark is facing went to a whole new level after Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter committed what the WNBA later called a flagrant 1 – something Engelbert pointed out when talking about the situation. However, there’s been a vocal portion of her fan base that is speaking out about what it perceives as extra contact against the former Iowa star.

Engelbert said she hears them loud and clear. At the same time, it shows their passion.

“They care enough to type thousands of emails to me,” Engelbert said. “You know, talking about the WNBA, and the physical play. And those aren’t just Caitlin. Those are other players, too, that, like, ‘Cathy you need to do this, you need to do that.’

“So people care. I love it.”

As for whether Clark is dealing with more hard fouls than other players in the league, Engelbert pointed out the physicality of the WNBA and said that plays a factor as players adjust from the college game.

“I think everybody’s watching Caitlin, so they’re focused only on Caitlin,” Engelbert said. “But when you look across other games (with) other players, it’s a physical game. There’s no doubt about it. It’s a pure shooter’s game, it’s a physical game, it’s a lot of pick-and-rolls, a lot of seeing the floor.”

Cathy Engelbert: WNBA rookies adjusting quickly

At the college level, Caitlin Clark helped lead a viewership surge. That is translating to the WNBA as ticket prices and TV ratings skyrocket around the league – with the Fever leading the way.

But this year’s rookie class features more notable names. Cameron Brink is in the midst of an impressive start with the Los Angeles Sparks, and teammate Rickea Jackson put together a monster performance last week. Angel Reese also seems to be finding her way with the Chicago Sky alongside Kamilla Cardoso.

The group’s early success is a big storyline this year. In fact, Cathy Engelbert said the transition might be going better than it ever has before.

“I think Angel’s playing great,” Engelbert said. “I think Cameron’s adjusted really well. These rookies are adjusting quicker than I think maybe some in the past.”

As for Clark’s popularity carrying over from her college days, Engelbert said the league is now bringing in a new audience. That goes for the TV audience and in the arena as teams move to larger venues when playing Indiana.

That means the WNBA is growing, and more rivalries are coming about as a result. And with more chatter about the game, the arrow is pointing up.

“Look, apathy is the death of a brand,” Engelbert said. “Nobody’s apathetic about the WNBA because we’ve brought in so many new fans into what we call the fan funnel this year. And yeah, some are frustrated for sure. I get a lot of emails that I’ve never got in four years, but that’s because people care.”