More eyeballs are on the WNBA than ever, which, unfortunately for the League, means that it has explanations to make with regard to the reasons why there has been an apparent increase in physicity, faults and intimidation this season.
And although the Indiana Caitlin Clark fever was apparently at the center of everything that is controversial with the League this season – it has been overthrown by most of its opponents, it has been hard several times, and it was well aware that its greatest problems exceed that Clark.
“I know that there is this perception (about intimidation) and obviously, we are the best female basketball league in the world,” said WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert at Daily Mail. “I think people like to watch our match, and it’s physical. Everyone thinks it’s just Caitlin, but everyone gets bogged.”
With Clark in particular, many have noticed that the opposing players took more liberties with the way they played it this season, and the prevailing recruit of the year has the battle scars to show for this.
She missed 14 of the 27 games of the fever this season due to a handful of injuries, including a sprain of the left quadriceps, a left gering tension and a tension of the right groin (which were not all caused by other players).
Despite the number of faults she pulled and the physical body of Clark who beat this season, Englebert applauded the alum of the Iowa to find out how she took everything in stride.
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“All our players experience it,” continued Englebert. “Caitlin was great. She managed it well. I am proud of Caitlin on the way she managed all of this. I am proud of all the others and how they manage it with Grace. But it’s a physical game on the field, and I think players understand it.”
Englebert also noted beyond the players’ turmoil to the player, the WNBA also has a problem with the way players are also treated with fans. And she is the only one to denounce.
The star of Minnesota Lynx and Leprunner MVP, Napheesa Collier, struck during a recent appearance on the podcast “A Touch More” on the way the fans treated players, calling it “toxic” and “disappointing” behavior – a feeling that Englebert is apparently agree.
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“It is obviously unacceptable, the vitriol which is there not only for the players of the WNBA, but also the female athletes,” added Englebert. “They become more difficult than anyone. I understand as a commissioner. … It is simply regrettable that we are in a society where many people can type things without responsibility.
“”[Players] It has been living for it for a long time, but social media is now so widespread, and we have brought tens of millions of fans in the League. So I think it is reinforced … but we must also try to do as much as possible to fight against. “”
