Caitlin Clark backs Napheesa Collier as WNBA players call out league leadership flaws
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI Global Desk | Oct 04, 2025, 00:34 IST
Caitlin Clark backs Napheesa Collier as WNBA players call out league leadership flaws
( Image credit : AP )
Highlight of the story: Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark backed Napheesa Collier’s criticism of WNBA leadership, citing poor accountability and lack of player care. Clark called this a pivotal moment in league history. Collier accused commissioner Cathy Engelbert of dismissive remarks, while Fever teammate Sophie Cunningham also blasted leadership. With collective bargaining ahead, tensions between players and league executives are escalating.
The Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark sided with players criticising the league's leadership as she spoke publicly for the first time since the All-Star weekend. Clark said on Thursday that she has not heard from WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert regarding the Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier's statement, which mentioned Engelbert’s comments on Clark's endorsement deals.
The Indiana Fever star called Collier's remarks valid when she addressed issues related to league leadership, a lack of accountability, and the care of WNBA players.
Clark said, “I think what people need to understand, we need great leadership at this time, across all levels.” She added, “This is straight up, the most important moment in this league’s history. This league’s been around for 25 years, and this is a moment we have to capitalize on. Phee said it all with what she said, and I think the points she made were very valid.”
Two days after the Lynx's championship hopes got crushed, the Lynx forward Napheesa Collier criticised the league regarding its officiating and fining those who speak out after. She also recalled a comment made by Cathy Engelbert during a private conversation in February, where the commissioner mentioned Caitlin would have those endorsement deals if not for the WNBA. Collier also added that the commissioner said, "players should be on their knees thanking their lucky stars for the media rights deal that I got them.”
To which the WNBA Commissioner, Cathy Engelbert, replied in a statement that she has a huge respect for Collier, but she is disheartened by how her conversation had been portrayed.
Clark told the media that she was unaware of Collier's story before this week and hasn’t heard from Engelbert since the reports came out.
Her fever teammates are also expressing their complaints regarding the officiating and the increase in injuries. Sophie Cunningham, who, along with Clark, was one of the four Fever players who missed out on games due to season-ending injuries, said, “I’m tired of our league; they need to step up and be better.” Speaking on their leadership, she added, ” They might be really great businesspeople, but they don’t know (expletive) about basketball, and that’s got to change.”
With the WNBA approaching the collective bargaining period, the players and the league’s management are facing pressure to resolve the tensions and ensure the game is in a great place going forward.
The Indiana Fever star called Collier's remarks valid when she addressed issues related to league leadership, a lack of accountability, and the care of WNBA players.
Clark said, “I think what people need to understand, we need great leadership at this time, across all levels.” She added, “This is straight up, the most important moment in this league’s history. This league’s been around for 25 years, and this is a moment we have to capitalize on. Phee said it all with what she said, and I think the points she made were very valid.”
Two days after the Lynx's championship hopes got crushed, the Lynx forward Napheesa Collier criticised the league regarding its officiating and fining those who speak out after. She also recalled a comment made by Cathy Engelbert during a private conversation in February, where the commissioner mentioned Caitlin would have those endorsement deals if not for the WNBA. Collier also added that the commissioner said, "players should be on their knees thanking their lucky stars for the media rights deal that I got them.”
To which the WNBA Commissioner, Cathy Engelbert, replied in a statement that she has a huge respect for Collier, but she is disheartened by how her conversation had been portrayed.
Clark told the media that she was unaware of Collier's story before this week and hasn’t heard from Engelbert since the reports came out.
Her fever teammates are also expressing their complaints regarding the officiating and the increase in injuries. Sophie Cunningham, who, along with Clark, was one of the four Fever players who missed out on games due to season-ending injuries, said, “I’m tired of our league; they need to step up and be better.” Speaking on their leadership, she added, ” They might be really great businesspeople, but they don’t know (expletive) about basketball, and that’s got to change.”
With the WNBA approaching the collective bargaining period, the players and the league’s management are facing pressure to resolve the tensions and ensure the game is in a great place going forward.