Football coach Kevin Kelley was disappointed amidst the WNBA’s seemingly disregard of Caitlin Clark‘s impact on the sport, particularly the lack of intervention after the Indiana Fever star had a notorious confrontation on Tuesday’s skirmish against the Connecticut Sun.

The altercation occurred when Clark, trying to keep Indiana’s 55-45 lead in the third, got poked in the eye by the Sun’s Jacy Sheldon, which was followed by a blindside by Marina Mabrey. Tensions deeply erupted that all three players, and Tina Charles, got assessed with heavy fouls.

Many fans were enraged by the moment, with some pointing out why the officiating hadn’t ejected the involved Suns roster. Kelley is on this side. The nine-time AAA championranted out on X/Twitter,declaring his “overwhelming” support for Caitlin Clark, and believes everyone realizes the alleged unfairness the superstar guard’s facing except for the league.

“For those that DO NOT think the WNBA is AGAINST Caitlin Clark, here is proof. After getting fouled for three full secs & then hit in eye, player knocks her down HARD after all was stopped. NO EJECTION after every announcer said no chance not ejected. Crazy to not embrace her like golf did Tiger Woods,” Kelley tweeted.

“Overwhelming support for @CaitlinClark22. It seems everyone gets it but the very people (@WNBA players) that she will help make money for. (Maybe officials too bc she got a technical in all this as well. Dumb.”

 
Jun 17, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Connecticut Sun guard Marina Mabrey (3) fouls Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Soon, head referee Ashley Gloss clarified that Mabrey’s contact against Caitlin Clark never “rise to a level,” of an ejection or a flagrant two. Nevertheless, the incident never prevented the Fever from paying back; seconds left in the fourth, Sophie Cunningham pushed Sheldon, causing tension. The veteran guard got a flagrant two and was ejected after.

 
Jun 17, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Connecticut Sun guard Marina Mabrey (3) fouls Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Analyst believes the WNBA should focus more on Caitlin Clark

Kelley is just one among the supporters who have deeply emphasized Caitlin Clark‘s impact on the WNBA. On Tuesday’s episode of “The Herd,” analyst Colin Cowherdcompared the Indiana Fever star to famous figures who quickly rose to superstardom, such as music stars Taylor Swift and Beyonce and golf legend Tiger Woods. Cowherd said:

“It’s not anti-Beyonce to say that Taylor Swift’s tour changed the economy. It is not anti-Angel Reese of the WNBA to acknowledge she’s the Tiger (Woods) 20 years ago on the (PGA) tour, like the ratings disappear. It’s nothing against the WNBA. She literally is changing the entire league economy, and I don’t think that’s a knock on the league.”

Jun 17, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) celebrates in the second half against the Connecticut Sun at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
The Caitlin Clark effect continues as the Fever visits the Golden State Valkyries at the Chase Center on Thursday.

For more basketball content, click on Hardwood Heroics. Sabel Reyes can be reached through [email protected]. Other websites under the Sports Heroics umbrella are Gridiron Heroics and Wisconsin Heroics.

Sabel has been working as a field reporter for People’s Television Network (PTV), mainly about the Philippine Basketball Association since 2016 and has been elevated to Executive Producer for sports in 2022. Aside from being on top of the Philippine sports scene, she is also a running enthusiast. You can also follow her on X at @SabelReyes2 and Instagram at @msabelreyes.