Caitlin Clark backs Napheesa Collier after criticism of WNBA leadership

Fever guard Caitlin Clark joined the chorus of other WNBA stars this week in voicing support for Napheesa Collier after the Lynx forward ripped WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s “negligent” governance, as well as the league office’s lack of accountability. 

“Phee said it all,” Clark said Thursday, “what she said and the points she made.” 

Clark said Collier “made a lot of very valid points” and stressed the importance of having “great leadership in this time across all levels” as contentious negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement appeared to have hit a stalemate.

“This is straight up the most important moment in this league’s history, where this league’s been around for 25-plus years, and this is a moment we have to capitalize on,” Clark said. “So, that’s honestly what I would say. Phee said it all, what she said and the points she made.” 

Clark said she wasn’t aware before Tuesday that Engelbert allegedly told Collier and others in a closed-door meeting earlier this year that “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.”

Clark said she hasn’t heard from Engelbert since Collier’s statement went viral. 

Engelbert responded to Collier in a statement that said, in part, she was “disheartened by how Napheesa characterized our conversations and league leadership.”

Engelbert never categorically denied suggesting that Clark’s off-court success is tied directly to the WNBA.

It’s worth noting that Clark signed her $28 million Nike deal before she stepped foot on a WNBA court.