WNBA commissioner under fire for Caitlin Clark – Sports News
WNBA Players’ Association vice president Napheesa Collier opened her end-of-season press convention with a scathing four-minute tackle, concentrating on the league’s management and particularly calling out Commissioner Cathy Engelbert repeatedly. The five-time All-Star from the Minnesota Lynx disclosed particulars of a personal dialogue she had with Engelbert concerning famous person athletes like Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark being considerably underpaid.
Clark, who claimed the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year honor, collected simply $78,066 from the league this season. Collier, who spearheaded the WNBA gamers’ resolution to decide out of the league’s CBA a yr forward of schedule final October, paving the best way for this fall’s negotiations, delivered her message with out hesitation.
“I also asked how she planned to fix the fact that players like Caitlin, Angel [Reese], and Paige [Bueckers], who are clearly driving massive revenue for the league, are making so little for their first four years,” she said. “Her response was, ‘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.
“In the identical dialog, she informed me gamers needs to be on their knees, thanking their fortunate stars for the media rights deal that I obtained them,” Collier revealed.
Before the 2025 All-Star game in July, Collier, Clark, and other WNBA superstars made their thoughts on the low salary clear, sporting T-shirts with the words: “Pay us what you owe us.”
Engelbert and the WNBA responded to Collier’s claims within a few hours. “I’ve the utmost respect for Napheesa Collier and for all of the gamers within the WNBA,” she said in a statement.
“Together, we now have all labored tirelessly to rework this league. My focus stays on guaranteeing a shiny future for the gamers and the WNBA, together with collaborating on how we proceed to raise the sport. I’m disheartened by how Napheesa characterised our conversations and league management, however even when our views differ, my dedication to the gamers and to this work won’t waver.”
ESPN’s Alexa Phillipou contacted the Fever searching for remark from Clark however was informed: “Caitlin Clark has no touch upon this assertion.”
However, she did obtain responses from both Indiana head coach Stephenie White and guard Lexie Hull, a close friend of Clark’s.
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“I’ve a lot of respect for Phee. … . I’m grateful that we now have sturdy girls who’re prepared to say the issues that matter and say the issues that may transfer the needle for change,” White said.
Hull shared similar views. “I feel I agree with all the pieces she stated. We’re at a actually important time within the league, and modifications need to be made, and so that you’re seeing her discuss that and actually proud of her for making that assertion at present,” she stated.
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