All articles tagged with #player safety
Former Fever teammate Brianna Turner claims on X that the Indiana Fever fired a male staffer for sexual harassment last season and urged players to stay quiet, a charge the team did not comment on; the allegation surfaces as the league focuses on player safety and online abuse amid ongoing scrutiny of team workplaces.
Eleven Republican lawmakers urged the WNBA to protect Caitlin Clark from potentially racially motivated attacks, calling for clear policies on on-court hostility and online harassment and noting possible federal civil rights investigations if discrimination is occurring; the Fever said they were unaware of the letter, while Clark has condemned racist abuse and urged a focus on safety and league excellence.
Caitlin Clark condemned online harassment of WNBA players and urged an end to hate as the league faces safety concerns after Alyssa Thomas’ on-court throat contact with Clark and a one-game suspension; coaches and the league stressed toxicity online amid rising visibility, while Clark called for better officiating and more fair media coverage in the ongoing discussion about player safety and treatment.
A former NBA orthopedic consultant warned that blows to Caitlin Clark’s throat could rapidly close her airway and become a life-or-death risk, amid ongoing controversy after she was punched in the throat by Alyssa Thomas and as she sits out with a back injury. The piece highlights a history of controversial contact, calls for better officiating to protect Clark, and mixed reactions from WNBA leadership and Clark’s team about safety and accountability.
The WNBA is under fire after Alyssa Thomas’s one-game suspension for a throat strike on Caitlin Clark, with commissioner Cathy Engelbert condemning hate while critics argue the league mishandled notification and accountability, revealing broader concerns about leadership and player safety in the league.
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas called on the WNBA and commissioner Cathy Engelbert to protect players after she received death threats and online abuse following a one-game suspension for a perceived throat contact with Caitlin Clark. She criticized the league's communication, while Engelbert condemned hate and said safety is a top priority and security is engaged. Thomas urged stronger league action beyond the existing No Space For Hate platform to safeguard players and address the online abuse that has endangered her family.
Dallas Cowboys players and media urge AT&T Stadium to switch from artificial turf to natural grass after hosting FIFA World Cup matches, arguing grass reduces injuries. Despite vocal support from players, Cowboys ownership indicates no immediate plan to change the surface.
The World Cup’s use of natural grass in host stadiums highlights a safety argument for the NFL: players prefer grass, injury data shows fewer noncontact injuries on grass, and despite massive profits, owners haven’t embraced the switch due to cost and multipurpose use—FIFA’s standards and safety priorities pressure the league to reconsider its turf stance.
Hydration breaks introduced at the FIFA World Cup due to heat have sparked backlash from fans and pundits who say the stoppages disrupt the flow and momentum of matches, even as supporters argue they protect players’ health in extreme conditions.
Hydration breaks at World Cup 2026, meant to protect players in heat, drew mixed reactions—from players and managers criticizing sponsor-driven interruptions to officials defending them as a safety layer; broadcasters stand to gain major ad inventory, with estimates around $250 million in ads across the tournament, fueling a broader debate over safety, advertising and the match experience.
Zeynep Sönmez retired from her doubles match at Roland Garros after tripping on Lacoste advertising boards at the back of the court, prompting a wave of backlash over player safety as others (including Katie Boulter) were affected by similar incidents. The controversy has drawn criticism from figures like Pam Shriver and José Morgado, who are calling for the boards/tarp to be removed, highlighting broader concerns about court-side signage, prize-money issues, and heat rules as players prepare for Wimbledon.
OKC defeated the Spurs 122-113 in Game 2, but the piece centers on refereeing and rough play, arguing Oklahoma City used dirty tactics to disrupt Victor Wembanyama and that referees let it go uncalled; Spurs missed open shots and faced injuries, with the author urging better protection for players and a fairer whistle in the series.
NHL senior VP of Player Safety George Parros defended the department's decision-making process in a rare press conference after Radko Gudas received a five-game suspension for kneeing Auston Matthews, drawing criticism from Matthews' agent and encouragement from Connor McDavid to review how the system works.
NHL’s George Parros defended the five-game suspension of Anaheim’s Radko Gudas for a knee-on-knee hit on Auston Matthews, saying the decision was based on the play, the injury context, and player history, and reflecting a long-held, collaborative process with the union. He explained why a phone hearing capped at five games was used, clarified how in-person hearings could influence outcomes, and indicated the department is open to evolution if needed, with the aim of consistent, accountable discipline in a fast-moving game.
NHL deputy George Parros defended the Department of Player Safety’s five-game ban on Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas for kneeing Auston Matthews, saying the league uses a consistent, experienced process and that the decision was based on the play, the injury (Matthews with a grade 3 MCL tear), and player history. The suspension came after a phone hearing (which can cap the penalty) rather than an in-person hearing, prompting criticism from Leafs officials and Matthews’ agent. Parros stressed openness to evolving the process through collaboration with GMs and the NHLPA.