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Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever guard and one of the league’s rising stars, recently voiced her support for Napheesa Collier, who has sharply criticised the leadership of the WNBA, particularly Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. Collier, who also serves as president of the WNBA Players Association, made her comments in a season-ending exit interview, sparking a substantial discussion about leadership, pay, accountability, and the direction the league is moving in.
What Collier said
- Collier accused WNBA leadership of being “tone-deaf and dismissive,” especially when it comes to player concerns over salaries, officiating, health, and transparency. She said that instead of addressing issues, the league often resorts to fines and discipline.
- She also alleged that Commissioner Engelbert made problematic comments in a conversation about Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers — star players who are seen as helping drive increased revenue and attention to the league. According to Collier, Engelbert told them they should be “grateful” for the off-court earnings and the media rights deal the league secured. Collier argued that this attitude reflected a leadership style that undervalues the players’ work and contributions.
What Caitlin Clark said in response
- Clark said she respects Collier (“’Phee”) and believes she made “a lot of very valid points.”
- She emphasized that this is a critical moment in the history of the WNBA: leadership across all levels matters more than ever, especially with the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) nearing expiration.
- Clark said she had not spoken with Engelbert directly about the allegations yet.
Why this matters
- The WNBA’s current CBA is set to expire on October 31, 2025. These criticisms come at a time when the Players Association and the league are negotiating major issues around pay, benefits, revenue sharing, player safety, and working conditions. or leadership that is more responsive and accountable. The issues at hand include how star players are compensated under rookie contracts, how the league handles player health and injuries, perceptions of fairness in officiating, and overall transparency from the league office.
- There is especially heightened scrutiny because some of the league’s most marketable players — Clark, Reese, Bueckers — are being cited as contributing heavily to revenue, attention, and growth, yet their contracts may not reflect that impact in their early years.
