WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert Denies Collier’s Caitlin Clark Remarks

Amid her exit from the WNBA Playoffs, Minnesota Lynx Napheesa Collier shook up the league with a strong message criticizing WNBA leadership this week. On Friday, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert appeared at a press conference during which she addressed Collier’s significant talking points.

One of those included a discussion of her potential resignation so that someone new could step in as the commissioner. However, Engelbert assured those listening that she’s got years of business experience and has never been a “quitter” when it comes to facing challenges.

While she admitted she was “disheartened” by what she heard, Engelbert acknowledged that new conversations are necessary regarding the state of the WNBA.

She also denied making the remarks Collier mentioned about popular superstar Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever.

Read more: Fever’s Sophie Cunningham Blasts Cathy Engelbert for Caitlin Clark Remarks

In her statement earlier this week, Collier said that in a private conversation, the WNBA commissioner told her Caitlin “should be grateful she makes $16 million off the court, because without the platform that the WNBA gives her, she wouldn’t make anything.”

“Obviously, I did not make those comments,” Engelbert told the media, adding, “Caitlin has been a transformational player in this league. She’s been a great representative of the game. She’s brought in tens of millions of new fans to the game. [I’m] proud of what she’s put on the court, unfortunately, the injuries held her back from a full season this year.”

Engelbert also said it wouldn’t be productive to address all of the points or counterpoints regarding Collier’s message to the league.

“I was disheartened to hear that some players feel the league, and me personally, do not care about them or listen to them. And if the players in the W don’t feel appreciated and valued by the League, then we have to do better, and I have to do better,” Engelbert said.

Clark was among multiple current and former players who showed support for Collier’s statement. While Clark called this “an important moment” for the league, she didn’t specifically mention the comments Collier claimed Engelbert made about her.

Engelbert’s statement arrived at the start of the WNBA Finals featuring the Las Vegas Aces and the Phoenix Mercury. It also comes as the players negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement with the WNBA, with a focus on player compensation, among other key issues. If negotiations don’t work out, a WNBA lockout is possible.

Nonetheless, the WNBA commissioner indicated that she would be meeting with Collier to discuss her and other players’ issues with the league.

“There’s a lot of inaccuracy out there through social media and all this reporting,” Engelbert said during her statement, adding, “I think what’s most helpful is to focus on I have been in touch with Napheesa. We’ve exchanged texts. We’re talking next week.”

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