IMHO, the commisioner did the right thing. Yes, it's true, the worst thing a commissioner can do to to change or invent a new rule mid stream. It just can't happen. However, I have also seen many situations where the unforeseen arises, like now, with a looming disaster, a sword of Damocles exists that requires a good commissioner to intervene in advance.
Yes, there are only 14 Brooklyn Wonders. However the fact is no on is required to use a wild card or reverse card. That being the case, there is potentially not enough players to get through a round. We can't be a situation where we run out of picks. You would then have to redraft the round, or invent a new rule to finish the round - both would be very bad.
Yes, I know people have promised to use wildcards, etc - however, again, we can't rely on that, we can't require people to do that.
Thank goodness the commisioner made a declarative rule rather than asking for vote. Good Job.