Caitlin Clark has not shied away from the role of being the face of the WNBA. She’s even stood up for other athletes in the league, to her own detriment, just because that’s the right thing to do, according to her. The WNBA superstar recently came out in support of Napheesa Collier’s four-minute-long statement against the league leadership.
Clark spoke to the media after the Fever were eliminated from the WNBA, just one game short of reaching the Finals, even without Clark. They lost 98-107 to the Aces in Game 5, who have now proceeded to face the Phoenix Mercury for the Finals series.
“I have great respect for Phee… she made a lot of valid points. Phee said it all. I think what people need to understand is that we need in this time across all levels. This is straight-up the most important moment in this league’s history.” Clark said during a press conference.
Collier used her exit interview from the Lynx as an opportunity to put forward a revealing conversation with the league commissioner, Cathy Engelbert. According to Collier, she put up two points in front of the commissioner, and neither received the kind of response that she expected. She asked Engelbert about the officiating issues and how the WNBA referees are from the NBA G-League, but the commissioner said only losers blame the officiating.
One could argue that it is trivialising a valid concern that one of the star athletes has. After that, Collier asked about how the league plans to deal with big-ticket players like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers.
“Her response was, ‘Caitlin should be grateful she makes $16 million a year off the court. Because without the platform that the WNBA gives her, she wouldn’t make anything.” Collier revealed.
The WNBA is at a crucial point in its history. The CBA negotiations are going on; they have the interest of the sporting world, with sincerity, for the first time at this level since their inception, and the production is improving massively. But star athletes openly questioning leadership and with valid concerns should indicate that things aren’t going well behind the scenes.
Some reports suggest that the commissioner might find herself out of the position once the CBA is agreed upon. Even though the league has called the reports “categorically false,” there is a strong sentiment around her exit as the CBA deadline approaches on October 31. Even though Clark did not outright call out the commissioner, she has openly expressed her support for Collier. Clark’s entry into the league opened a lot of doors for the other players.
No athlete has moved the chain in terms of revenue and ticket sales as Clark has for this league. When she was out with an injury, there was a considerable drop-off in the ratings and even ESPN viewership. One could argue that if you have such a generational talent and someone who’s pulling in the crowds at this level, they deserve more than just a platform. One could argue that their take should hold considerable value and should not be disregarded by pointing to the platform.
The confrontation marks one of its greatest struggles this league has faced after reaching its highest relevance in history. The WNBA has never gotten this much attention for its gameplay and production. But if the league leadership is not able to resolve these pestering, overwhelming issues like pay and officiating, the conversation will move on from the production.
