The WNBA has firmly denied claims that NBA commissioner Adam Silver influenced the suspension of Alyssa Thomas following an incident on June 24 with Caitlin Clark. A statement from the league labeled reports suggesting Silver pressured WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert to suspend Thomas as "absolutely false." The incident involved Thomas striking Clark’s throat during a game, which did not result in an immediate ejection but led to a delayed disciplinary action.

The WNBA handed Thomas a Flagrant 2 foul, accompanied by a $1,000 fine and a one-game suspension, categorizing the behavior as a “non-basketball act.” The Sports Business Journal had reported that Silver convinced Engelbert to impose the suspension, but the WNBA spokesperson’s denial highlights the league’s autonomy regarding disciplinary decisions. The NBA holds a 42% stake in the WNBA, and some NBA owners also have individual ownership interests, fueling ongoing discussions about the NBA’s influence on the women's league.

When asked about Engelbert’s future as WNBA commissioner during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Adam Silver expressed satisfaction with her leadership and progress within the league but did not offer any concrete information about potential changes. Earlier in the year, Silver confirmed that there were no formal discussions concerning Engelbert's tenure, while Engelbert herself has consistently focused attention on the broader contributions of women running the league beyond her role.

The situation underscores continued scrutiny over governance and decision-making within the WNBA, especially given its partial NBA ownership. However, the league's explicit rejection of Silver’s involvement in the Thomas suspension suggests a clear boundary between NBA leadership and WNBA disciplinary matters, maintaining the WNBA's operational independence despite some structural overlap.