Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: WNBA Commissioner Denies Making Controversial Caitlin Clark Comments
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Analysis > WNBA Commissioner Denies Making Controversial Caitlin Clark Comments

WNBA Commissioner Denies Making Controversial Caitlin Clark Comments

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert praises Caitlin Clark.

Gautam Varier
Oct 3, 2025
4 Min Read
Share
Brooklyn, NY, USA; Caitlin Clark poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after she is selected with the number one overall pick to the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft at Brooklyn Academy of Music. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Brooklyn, NY, USA; Caitlin Clark poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after she is selected with the number one overall pick to the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft at Brooklyn Academy of Music. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert held a press conference ahead of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Friday, and her controversial Caitlin Clark comments were inevitably brought up. Minnesota Lynx superstar Napheesa Collier claimed in her exit interview that Engelbert told her 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.”

When asked about the comment, Engelbert denied saying anything of the sort to Collier.

“Obviously, I did not make those comments,” Engelbert said. “Caitlin has been a transformational player in this league. She’s been a great representative of the game. She’s brought in 10s of millions of new fans to the game.

“Proud of what she’s put on the court,” Engelbert continued. “Unfortunately, the injuries held her back from the full season this year. But again, I’m not going to get into every point, counterpoint. It’s not productive here… But yeah, as I said, there’s a lot of inaccuracies reported out there and I certainly did not say that.”

Collier, a vice president of the players’ association, had claimed that Engelbert made those comments when she asked her how she planned to fix the fact that Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers, who are driving massive revenue for the WNBA, are making so little in terms of salary.

Clark signed just a four-year, $338,056 deal with the Indiana Fever after being selected with the first pick of the 2024 WNBA Draft. The current CBA is ending on October 31, 2025, and the players want more money than what’s on the table.

Collier also claimed that Engelbert told her that the “players should be on their hands and knees thanking their lucky stars for the rights deal that I got them.” The commissioner was asked about that as well, and while she didn’t outright deny saying it, she did claim there were a lot of inaccuracies in all that has been reported.

“There is a lot of inaccuracy out there through social media and all this reporting,” Engelbert said. “… I have been in touch with Napheesa, we’ve exchanged texts, we’re talking next week. So I think obviously a lot of reporting, a lot of inaccuracy about what I said or what I didn’t say. I will tell you I highly respect the players.”

Collier has also criticized Engelbert by claiming the WNBA has the worst leadership in the world. She certainly isn’t a very popular figure at the moment.

Clark stated that Collier made a lot of valid points, and she feels this is the most important moment in the WNBA’s history. While she stopped short of ripping the commissioner, Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson did not mince her words. Wilson slammed Engelbert, making it clear she was disgusted by the remarks.

The likes of Stephen A. Smith have called for Engelbert’s resignation, but she made it clear in her press conference that she won’t be quitting.

“I’ve never been a quitter,” Engelbert stated. “I’m entering my 40th year, actually, this month in business. Never been a quitter, never shied away from tough situations.”

Engelbert became the WNBA’s first commissioner back in 2019, and this is proving to be her toughest spell at the helm. One wonders if the 60-year-old sinks or swims.

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:Caitlin ClarkNapheesa CollierWNBA
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByGautam Varier
Follow:
Gautam Varier is a staff writer and columnist for Fadeaway World from Mumbai, India. He graduated from Symbiosis International University with a Master of Business specializing in Sports Management in 2020. This educational achievement enables Gautam to apply sophisticated analytical techniques to his incisive coverage of basketball, blending business acumen with sports knowledge.Before joining Fadeaway World in 2022, Gautam honed his journalistic skills at Sportskeeda and SportsKPI, where he covered a range of sports topics with an emphasis on basketball. His passion for the sport was ignited after witnessing the high-octane offense of the Steve Nash-led Phoenix Suns. Among the Suns, Shawn Marion stood out to Gautam as an all-time underrated NBA player. Marion’s versatility as a defender and his rebounding prowess, despite being just 6’7”, impressed Gautam immensely. He admired Marion’s finishing ability at the rim and his shooting, despite an unconventional jump shot, believing that Marion’s skill set would have been even more appreciated in today’s NBA.This transformative experience not only deepened his love for basketball but also shaped his approach to sports writing, enabling him to connect with readers through vivid storytelling and insightful analysis.
Previous Article Brooklyn, New York, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) high fives head coach JJ Redick during the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images JJ Redick Provides Update On Luka Doncic After He Gets Ruled Out For Lakers’ First 2 Preseason Games
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Brooklyn, New York, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) high fives head coach JJ Redick during the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis

JJ Redick Provides Update On Luka Doncic After He Gets Ruled Out For Lakers’ First 2 Preseason Games

October 3, 2025
Devin Booker
Phoenix Suns News & Analysis

Devin Booker Reveals He Has “Unfinished Business” With Phoenix Suns

October 3, 2025
Jayson Tatum
Boston Celtics News & Analysis

New Return Date For Jayson Tatum Could Put Celtics Back In Championship Picture

October 3, 2025
Warriors star Jimmy Butler
Golden State Warriors News & Analysis

Stephen Curry Says Jimmy Butler Gives Warriors “Legitimate Shot” At 2026 Title

October 3, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?