The Debate Heats Up: WNBA fans are calling for a major rule change to protect Caitlin Clark from being ‘targeted’ on the court. Caitlin Clark’s treatment in the WNBA sparks demands for rule change.

Calls Grow for Major WNBA Rule Change to Protect Caitlin Clark After Controversial Incidents

The WNBA is facing mounting pressure to introduce stricter rules after Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark was once again at the center of a heated on-court altercation.

Clark, just 23, has taken the women’s basketball world by storm since being drafted from the Iowa Hawkeyes last year. But her meteoric rise has come at a cost: she’s become a frequent target for aggressive, sometimes excessive, physical play from opponents determined to slow her down.

On June 19, in a tense matchup against the Golden State Valkyries, Clark’s resilience was on full display. But just two days earlier, she endured one of the most controversial moments of her young professional career. During a fierce third-quarter battle at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Clark was shoved to the floor by Connecticut Sun’s Marina Mabrey after a sequence that saw Clark poked in the eye and physically confronted by multiple defenders. Shockingly, Mabrey was not ejected, while Clark herself received a technical foul—a decision the WNBA later admitted was a mistake.

The incident has reignited debate about player safety and fair play in the league. No one is more vocal than Clark’s former Iowa coach, Lisa Bluder. After four years coaching Clark and 24 years at the helm of the Hawkeyes, Bluder knows firsthand the challenges her star pupil faces—and she’s had enough.

“They think the only way to stop her is through physical dominance,” Bluder told TMZ. “If we want this to change, we have to change the way the game is called. There needs to be more freedom of movement. That means calling more fouls—even if people don’t like it. The players will adapt because they want to stay on the floor.”

Bluder is calling for the WNBA to introduce harsher penalties for egregious acts—automatic ejections and substantial fines for players who cross the line. She insists that while Clark may not be intentionally “targeted,” it’s clear that opponents are giving her their “best shot” every night.

The WNBA’s recent admission of officiating errors and subsequent punishments following the Fever-Sun melee only underscore the need for reform. As Clark continues to electrify crowds and elevate the women’s game, the league faces a pivotal moment: will it step up to protect its brightest stars, or allow rough play to overshadow the sport’s growth?

One thing is certain—fans, coaches, and players alike are demanding answers, and the ball is now firmly in the WNBA’s court.