Alyssa Thomas Suspension: NBA Commissioner Silver's Role Revealed

The discipline handed to Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas after the June 24 incident with Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark has become a flashpoint for questions about who really runs the WNBA. According to a report from Sports Business Journal, citing multiple sources, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert initially did not plan to suspend Thomas for putting her fist into Clark's throat during a game. It was only after NBA Commissioner Adam Silver implored her to act that Engelbert issued a one-game suspension and a $1,000 fine, along with a Flagrant 2 penalty.

The WNBA has forcefully denied the report, with a league spokesperson telling USA TODAY Sports the SBJ reporting is "absolutely false." The league's official position is that Engelbert made the decision independently after a standard review by WNBA Referee Operations and Basketball Operations, which evaluates plays and makes recommendations to league leadership.

But the denial has not quieted the speculation. The SBJ sources claim Silver believed there was clear evidence of a flagrant foul, that he felt badly for Clark, and told Engelbert she had to act. The implication is that Engelbert was reluctant to punish Thomas because no foul was called during the game itself — a position that, if true, would represent a significant departure from how the league has handled similar post-game reviews in the past.

Alyssa Thomas Incident Sparks Governance Debate

The report arrives at a delicate moment for Engelbert, who has served as WNBA commissioner since 2019. She has faced criticism over officiating and other issues, and the SBJ report suggests that Silver's need to intervene may indicate she is in her final season as commissioner. League insiders had previously told SBJ that Engelbert would probably be forced from her job after this spring's collective bargaining negotiations, but after she oversaw a historic CBA deal in March, she appeared to earn a reprieve.

When asked about Engelbert's job performance at an NBA Summer League news conference this week, Silver praised the league's "tremendous progress" under her leadership, lauded the CBA, and said, "I think Cathy continues to do a strong job building that league." But he also closed by saying, "We'll have ongoing discussions about what the future looks like." That non-committal language, combined with the SBJ report, has fueled speculation that Engelbert's tenure may be winding down.

The situation is further complicated by the involvement of U.S. House Republicans, who sent a letter to Engelbert threatening federal scrutiny over the bullying of Clark. The letter adds a political dimension to what was already a high-profile disciplinary matter, and it's conceivable that Silver and the Board of Governors from both leagues will escalate a review of Engelbert's status.

The incident and its aftermath

The play in question occurred during a game on June 24. Thomas, a forward for the Mercury, put her fist into Clark's throat. No foul was called during the game. The next day, the league reviewed the play and issued a Flagrant 2 foul, a one-game suspension, and a $1,000 fine to Thomas for "recklessly making contact with her fist to the throat area" of Clark.

Clark has since denounced online abuse following the incident, and Engelbert has faced a strained relationship with fans and players after what many saw as a slow and insufficient response. The SBJ report also notes that Engelbert's last-minute cancellation of an appearance on "The Dan Patrick Show" sparked additional backlash.

The core question is whether the WNBA's disciplinary process is independent or subject to influence from the NBA. The league's denial is unequivocal, but the SBJ sources are multiple and specific. If Silver did indeed persuade Engelbert to suspend Thomas, it would suggest that the WNBA's commissioner lacks the autonomy to make tough calls without approval from the NBA office. That would be a significant governance issue for a league that has been trying to establish its own identity and authority.

Silver did not address his role in the Thomas suspension when asked at the Summer League news conference. His focus was on praising Engelbert's leadership and the league's progress, but the "ongoing discussions" comment leaves the door open for change.

For now, the WNBA is standing by its commissioner. But the report has already shifted the conversation from a single disciplinary decision to the broader question of who holds the power in women's professional basketball. The answer may determine not just Engelbert's future, but the league's.