Napheesa Collier calls out WNBA commish for Caitlin Clark comment

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier. Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Napheesa Collier calls out WNBA commissioner for surprising Caitlin Clark comment

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Oct 1, 2025 8:33 AM ET

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert's supposed comment about Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark highlights why she's losing favorability within the league.

On Tuesday, Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier put Engelbert and WNBA leadership on blast for the league's officiating and other issues. She said the league has "the best fans in the world, the best players in the world, but the worst leadership in the world." She then shared a conversation she had with Engelbert about Clark in February. Her comment will leave many angry.

Cathy Engelbert says Caitlin Clark needs the WNBA more than it needs her

Collier asked Engelbert how she planned to address low salaries for players, like Clark, Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese and Dallas Wings rookie guard Paige Bueckers, even though they're "driving massive revenue for the league."

"[Engelbert's] response was, 'Caitlin should be grateful she makes $16M off the court, because without the platform that the WNBA gives her, she wouldn't make anything,'" Collier said.

Napheesa Collier says WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said Caitlin Clark should be "grateful."

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
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) September 30, 2025

Engelbert's comment is erroneous. Clark would still be a huge draw for advertisers and fans even if she played in another league. That's why rapper Ice Cube recently offered her $5M to play in the Big3, his three-on-three basketball league.

And if it weren't for a young star like Clark, 23, the WNBA wouldn't be growing. For Pete's sake, 1.2 million viewers tuned in to watch her play a preseason game against Team Brazil in May. As the face of her league, Clark should be compensated as such, but she isn't.

After the Fever took her with pick No. 1 in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Clark signed a four-year, $338.05K contract. San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, the No. 1 pick of the 2024 NBA Draft, signed a four-year, $55.17M contract.

On Tuesday, Engelbert helped the league secure a new 11-year deal with USA Network, which could increase revenue and, in turn, player salaries. Still, she seems to believe that's sufficient, and it may not be.

The commissioner should be doing more to protect her biggest stars, like Clark, and ensure they receive what they deserve. She clearly isn't. That's why Collier has turned on her, and it's fair to wonder if others will soon follow.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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