Indiana Congressman Jim Banks Calls For WNBA To Take Action To Protect Caitlin Clark | OutKick Exclusive

Few individual WNBA players have attracted as much attention as Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark, and Indiana Rep. Jim Banks wants to ensure that attention doesn't go too far. 

OutKick exclusively obtained a copy of a letter Banks sent to Cathy Engelbert, the commissioner of the WNBA, seeking answers as to what steps the league will take to protect her moving forward. 

Banks opens the letter by praising the increased fan interest in women's basketball that Clark's generated, before referencing the seemingly unprovoked, targeted foul from Chennedy Carter. He also said the foul was "visibly cheered on and supported" by Carter’s teammate, Angel Reese. While saying the state is familiar with "tough" basketball, Banks also described the incident as a "cheap shot that could have resulted in an injury and should not be tolerated."

READ: Fans Crush Chennedy Carter For 'No Regrets' Comment About Caitlin Clark Cheap Shot

He then decried the lack of punishment for Carter other than the retroactive upgrade to a flagrant foul and some unrelated fines for a "lack of media appearances." To Banks, that shows new WNBA fans that the league isn't willing to "hold hostile players accountable and enforce their own rules of sportsmanship."

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 02: Caitlin Clark #22 talks with head coach Christie Sides of the Indiana Fever during the second half of a game against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center on June 02, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Jim Banks Wants Answers From WNBA On Caitlin Clark 

Banks continues his letter by laying out a series of questions he'd like the commissioner to answer, relating to further steps to protect Clark moving forward.

• What steps is the WNBA taking to curb excessive physical targeting of specific players?
• Will individual organizations be held responsible for allowing players with histories of violence to physically target their competitors?
• Do you believe that WNBA players repeatedly diminishing the talents of their fellow players is beneficial to the leagues’ overall success?
• Do you believe that it is inspiring to young female athletes to see players like Indiana’s Caitlin Clark physically targeted for her success?

There's no question that players around the WNBA have mostly failed to hide their resentment of Clark for the attention she receives. And more likely, the money that she generates through endorsement deals. 

But the only hope the WNBA has of achieving last relevance in the broader sports landscape is if it's able to create and sustain stars. Clark is essentially the first star of this magnitude the league has had in years, if not ever. It's not in the league's best interest to allow other players to target her, whatever their reasons, especially if that targeting leads to injury.

Banks' questions are important. And the WNBA's answers may be even more important.