Adam Silver thinks the drama surrounding Caitlin Clark goes beyond just foul calls. 

As debates regarding officiating and physical play in the WNBA continue on, Silver said Clark has become a “political football” for people’s agendas both in and outside the sport.

“Ultimately, the issues around Caitlin Clark are not largely about officiating,” Silver said, “and that particular incident is not about whether a foul should have been called at the time in the game or whether that was ultimately a flagrant on review.”

Silver then went on to praise Clark for her character both on and off the court. 

“I have come to know Caitlin really well,” Silver said. “She’s an incredible player and also an incredible person. And she wants to focus on being the best player she can.”

“She has become a bit of a political football in this country, and I think it’s incredibly unfair to her. I don’t think that issue is ultimately about officiating. It’s become political ping-pong with her. And she’s a young woman who’s trying to improve her game.”

The NBA commissioner’s comments stem from a recent play where Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas hit her fist into Clark’s throat and was not initially called for a foul, which sparked outrage. 

The controversial play was eventually upgraded to a flagrant and Thomas was suspended for a game. 

Thomas has insisted the play was an accident, saying that she’s received death threats and has criticized WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert for not doing enough to protect players. 

Silver, however, maintains that his biggest concern is with improving the quality of WNBA officiating.

“I don’t even think it’s fair to her that this has become a separate storyline about one foul,” Silver said, adding: “Do we need to improve WNBA officiating? No doubt about it.”