Christine Brennan, a USA Today columnist and author of “ON HER GAME: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women’s Sports,” opened up about why the image of Phoenix Suns forward Alyssa Thomas’ first on Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has resonated with sports fans.
The incident sparked a one-game suspension for Thomas and another discourse about the treatment Clark has received from her WNBA colleagues in the floor. In just her third season, Clark has been knocked around multiple times.
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Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas scrambles to get up over Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark during a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on June 24, 2026. The Phoenix Mercury defeated the Indiana Fever 111-109. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Brennan appeared on OutKick’s “Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich” and suggested the image of Thomas’ fist to Clark’s throat is “that big of a deal” because Clark’s popularity helped paved the way to help players like Thomas.
“Is the league going to speak out at all about the visual that will live with this league, I believe forever? I think that picture, the fist to the throat is that big of a deal. I wish it wasn’t racial. I wish it was (Marina) Mabrey or somebody so you can have it not be a racial conversation because in our polarized society, I hate that,” Brennan said. “I wish that could be out of it and we can look at the fact that the face of the league, Caitlin Clark, no doubt about it, every measure possible, has got a fist to her throat. Caitlin Clark, who has brought the charter flights, I broke that story, you know, that’s a fact.
Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever plays against the Phoenix Mercury at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on June 24, 2026. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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“Caitlin Clark, with all the TV ratings, all the attendance figures, everything that she has brought she has made Alyssa Thomas’ life better. She’s making more money. She’s got it. She’s not in the middle seat anymore in coach as they all used to be, some of them and, instead you’ve got the fist to the throat. She’s hitting the person who brought her all of that. That’s why this story resonates. I wish we would hear from Cathy Engelbert about it. Is she concerned about Caitlin Clark and Caitlin Clark being injured?”
Alyssa Thomas side-steps ugly Caitlin Clark foul, claims to be receiving threats. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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The Fever and the Mercury will meet again on July 9.
