Caitlin Clark is fully behind Napheesa Collier after the Lynx star launched into an explosive statement about WNBA leadership and Commissioner Cathy Engelbert this week. Clark, who initially offered no comment through the Fever following Collier's statement on September 30, told reporters on October 2 that she has "great respect" for her Lynx counterpart.
Collier, she added, "made a lot of very valid points." What needs to be understood outside the WNBA is that the league "need[s] great leadership in this time across all levels," Clark also said.
As she pointed out, the WNBA is enjoying unprecedented success across the board, especially in terms of viewership numbers and game attendance. It is only logical that the league needs the kind of leadership that can handle that, and at this point in time, it's not clear Engelbert can deliver — or that players believe she can, which might be more important.
"This is straight-up the most important moment in this league's history," Clark said. "This league's been around for 25 plus years, and this is a moment we have to capitalize on. So that's honestly what I would say ... I think the points she made were very valid."
Napheesa Collier didn't mince words this week
Collier's four-minute speech delivered this week during Lynx exit interviews offered unprecedented insight into the mentality that is likely shared by many players in the WNBA, and also made one thing clear: Collier is uniquely poised to become a true leader of the WNBA as the athletes continue CBA negotiations and hover closer to a lockout ahead of the 2026 season — and the WNBA is lucky to have her.
"The real threat to the league isn't money, it isn't ratings, or even missed calls, or even physical play," Collier said, a reference to concerns about officiating that have been repeatedly raised throughout the regular and postseason. "It's the lack of accountability from the league's office."
Collier also brought to light comments she claimed Engelbert made about the league's younger stars, including Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers. Engelbert reportedly toldCollier that Clark specifically "should be grateful she made $16 million off the court, because without the platform that the WNBA gives her, she wouldn't make anything" and that "players should be on their knees thanking their lucky stars for the media rights deal that [Engelbert] got them."
That's a bold claim, and it's not something Collier would say lightly or without intent. It also signals that despite appearances, there's a bit of a break between Clark and the WNBA's leadership, and Engelbert and the rest of her team may be taking one of their most bankable stars for granted.