A lot of criticism regarding what WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said about Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has been going on. However, the 60-year-old has denied the accusations amid the resignation demands.
Did WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert really make controversial Caitlin Clark remarks?
Engelbert recently took the centre stage to address the ongoing controversy. Ahead of the WNBA Finals Game 1 between the Las Vegas Aces and the Phoenix Suns, the WNBA commissioner said, as per USA Today:
"Obviously, I did not make those comments.”
She further, praised the Indiana Fever star, said:
“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.”
Engelbert also said that she was “proud” of the former LSU Tigers star.
What did Napheesa Collier claim about WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert?
This came after Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier publicly criticised Engelbert in a scathing statement, which set the WNBA world on fire. The 29-year-old called out WNBA leadership after her season was concluded following the loss of her side to the Mercury. In the prepared statement, the WNBA player stated that the league has the “best players” and the “best fans” but “have the worst leadership in the world.”
Collier blamed the “lack of accountability from the league office” to be the “real threat” to the league. She also recalled a specific conversation she had with Engelbert regarding the WNBA officiating issues in February to which, as per her, Engelbert responded as:
“Well, only the losers complained about the refs.”
Napheesa Collier’s shocking revelation on the WNBA commissioner’s controversial Caitlin Clark remarks
Collier, who is also a founder of the Unrivaled basketball league along with Breanna Stewart, stated that she also talked about how top players like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers, who have helped the league with a massive rise in revenue, get “so little for their first four years.”
As per the power forward, Engelbert said:
“Caitlin (Clark) should be grateful to make $16 million off the court, because without the platform that the WNBA gives her, she wouldn't make anything.”
This comment took the whole internet by storm, demanding the WNBA commissioner to announce her resignation, including Stephen A. Smith. The NBA analyst for ESPN criticized Engelbert’s leadership and backed Collier.
What did Cathy Elgelbert reply to Napheesa Collier’s shocking revelation?
Following the statement made by Collier, USA Today reached out to the league and received a statement by the WNBA commissioner where she, as per the aforementioned source, stated that she has the “utmost respect for Napheesa Collier and for all the players in the WNBA.” She also, as per the same source, stated that she was “disheartened” by how Collier “characterized” their conversation.
What did Caitlin Clark reply to the WNBA commissioner’s alleged remarks?
Caitlin Clark, who has played a pivotal role in the league’s growth and popularity, so far, has not made any direct comments on the alleged remarks made by the WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert. However, she did speak on Collier’s comments about great leadership. The 23-year-old, during her recent media appearance, told the reporters:
"I have great respect for Phee... she made a lot of valid points. Phee said it all. ... This is straight-up the most important moment in this league's history."
Clark is currently recovering from a right groin injury which she sustained on July 15, 2025. She has been ruled out since then and was unable to return and help her side in the playoffs.