WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert is receiving backlash over a comment she supposedly made about Caitlin Clark.
Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier held a press conference on Tuesday during which she unloaded on Engelbert and the WNBA’s leadership. While reading a prepared statement, Collier shared an exchange she claims she had with Engelbert about Clark back in February.
Collier said she asked Engelbert how the commissioner planned to address the low salaries that players like Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers earn through their early years in the WNBA despite those players “clearly driving massive revenue for the league.” Collier said Engelbert responded by downplaying the earning potential Clark would have if not for the WNBA.
“Her response was, ‘Caitlin should be grateful she makes $16 million off the court, because without the platform the WNBA gives her, she wouldn’t make anything,” Collier says Engelbert told her.
Collier also said Engelbert told the Lynx star that “players should be on their knees thanking their lucky stars for the media rights deal that I got them.”
Napheesa Collier says WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said Caitlin Clark should be "grateful."
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) September 30, 2025
Engelbert allegedly said:
"Caitlin should be grateful she makes $16M off the court. Without the platform the WNBA gives her, she wouldn't make anything."pic.twitter.com/RaO9am4JsO
The Fever said on Tuesday that Clark had no comment on Collier’s statement.
Clark has called Engelbert out in the past over pay issues. Many people pointed out that Collier’s alleged comments about Clark were inaccurate, as Clark had several endorsement deals already in place before she was even drafted by the Fever.
The current collective bargaining agreement between the WNBA and its players is set to expire on Oct. 31, 2025. Engelbert has been an unpopular figure among both fans and players. The alleged remarks she made about Clark are only going to hurt her reputation further.
