WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert reportedly canceled a scheduled interview on “The Dan Patrick Show” on Friday, just as the league faces mounting criticism over its handling of controversies surrounding star player Caitlin Clark. The interview was slated to take place at the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament in Nevada, where both Engelbert and Patrick were present.
Interview Woes and PR Concerns
Host Dan Patrick expressed frustration on his show, stating that the interview, which had been promoted extensively, was abruptly called off. According to Patrick, Engelbert’s team cited a conflict with the WNBA’s public relations department as the reason for the cancellation. Patrick recounted waiting for nearly two hours, with Engelbert initially planning to join after a conference call from her hotel room.
“Then we got word… that the commissioner said that the WNBA staff, the PR staff, said that she is not allowed to do this. They would prefer that she did not do this,” Patrick explained. He questioned the decision-making process, asking if the PR department’s guidance was sought before the interview was initially agreed upon.
Patrick suggested that the cancellation was likely influenced by the sensitive topics he intended to address, including the ongoing scrutiny surrounding Caitlin Clark and potential league expansion. “It was her opportunity to finally say, ‘hey, you can ask me the tough questions.’ I thought this was going to be a good thing for the WNBA because people still want answers here,” he lamented. Patrick emphasized that a platform like his show offers a respectful avenue for addressing difficult issues, which he believes is crucial for the league’s image as a serious professional sports entity.
Adding to the narrative of proximity and missed opportunity, Patrick claimed that Engelbert was golfing just yards away from his broadcast location during Friday’s show. Footage shared during the broadcast appeared to show the commissioner on the golf course.
Past Communication Lapses
This incident follows a previous communication breakdown, as Patrick alleged that his show reached out to the WNBA for a statement on June 25 regarding an on-court incident involving Caitlin Clark and Phoenix Mercury player Alyssa Thomas, but received no response. Patrick publicly criticized the league’s silence on June 26, 2026, suggesting it allowed the situation to escalate.
The incident in question, where Thomas made contact with Clark’s throat, was not initially called as a foul. While Thomas later received a one-game suspension after the play was reviewed and upgraded to a Flagrant 1 foul, the league reportedly did not issue a public statement addressing the incident itself or the pattern of aggressive play directed at Clark since her entry into the league in 2024.
Instead, the WNBA issued a statement defending Thomas against online backlash, stating, “The safety and well-being of everyone in our community is always the league’s top priority. We are aware of Alyssa Thomas’ comments, and what she and her teammates have experienced is completely unacceptable and not representative of the WNBA community. The league and our security team have been in contact with the Phoenix Mercury organization and remain committed to protecting all players.”
All-Star Snub and Political Fallout
Further fueling controversy, Caitlin Clark finished eleventh in the player-voted portion of the 2026 WNBA All-Star balloting, despite ranking among the league’s top five in both points and assists. This outcome drew sharp criticism from WNBA legend Candace Parker, who called out players for perceived disrespect and insecurity in their voting choices.
“When I sat down, as much as I did not like Diana Taurasi, there ain’t no way I’m not going to write her as an All-Star,” Parker stated, drawing parallels to her own playing days. “As much as I did not like anyone on the Lynx because they used to whoop our a—, I’m not going to not put Maya Moore or Sylvia Fowles. I think people need to look at themselves in the mirror and realize, like, man, you’ve got some insecurities if you’re sitting down and putting Caitlin Clark as the eleventh best guard.”
The situation escalated to Capitol Hill, with eleven Republican lawmakers sending a letter to Commissioner Engelbert. They demanded accountability for the physical hostility directed at Clark and even suggested that federal agencies investigate the league for potentially fostering a hostile work environment.
The Indiana Fever, Clark’s team, quickly distanced themselves from the political intervention, releasing a statement confirming they had no prior knowledge of the letter. Head Coach Stephanie White adopted a stance of focusing on controllable aspects of the game when questioned by Fox News Digital, stating, “That’s not something we can control. We’re not affiliated with those groups. We try to keep the main thing the main thing and focus on the things we can control.”
Looking Ahead
The WNBA has announced plans to expand its regular season to 50 games starting in 2027, marking the longest schedule in league history. However, the recent controversies and the reported cancellation of Engelbert’s interview highlight ongoing challenges in managing public perception and addressing player safety concerns, particularly as the league aims for growth and broader recognition.
