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lite.cnn.com - on gopher - inofficial
ARTICLE VIEW:
Caitlin Clark says Napheesa Collier made ‘valid points’ while
Sophie Cunningham joins in blasting WNBA leadership
By Jill Martin, CNN
Updated:
3:43 PM EDT, Thu October 2, 2025
Source: CNN
Caitlin Clark gave support to fellow WNBA star , who had referenced
Clark when admonishing the league and commissioner Cathy Engelbert in
fiery remarks earlier this week.
On Tuesday, Collier put the WNBA – and Engelbert – on blast, saying
that “right now, we have the worst leadership in the world.”
“I have great respect for Phee, and I think she made a lot of very
valid points,” Clark said Thursday at Indiana Fever exit interviews.
“I think what people need to understand: We need great leadership in
this time across all levels.
“This is straight up the most important moment in this league’s
history. This league has been around for 25-plus years, and this is a
moment we have to capitalize on.”
Collier’s emphatic statement comes ahead of the WNBA Finals between
the Phoenix Mercury and Las Vegas Aces – Game 1 is Friday – and as
the final days of the current collective bargaining agreement tick
away. The CBA expires at the end of the month, and there is potential
for a lockout.
Collier, during Minnesota Lynx exit interviews Tuesday, said she asked
Engelbert back in February “how she planned to fix the fact that
players like Caitlin (Clark), Angel (Reese) and Paige (Bueckers), who
are clearly driving massive revenue for the league, are making so
little for their first four years.”
Collier said Engelbert’s reply was: “Caitlin should be grateful she
made $16 million off the court because without the platform that the
WNBA gives her, she wouldn’t make anything.”
Engelbert responded Tuesday with a released statement: “I have the
utmost respect for Napheesa Collier and for all the players in the
WNBA. Together we have all worked tirelessly to transform this league.
My focus remains on ensuring a bright future for the players and the
WNBA, including collaborating on how we continue to elevate the game.
“I am disheartened by how Napheesa characterized our conversations
and league leadership, but even when our perspectives differ, my
commitment to the players and to this work will not waver.”
Clark – who missed the rest of the season after suffering a July 15
– was asked whether she had previously heard that story before
Collier told it publicly and whether Engelbert had spoken to her since
Collier’s remarks. Clark shook her head and said no to both
questions.
“Everybody that’s in a place of power has a responsibility, and
even myself,” Clark said. “We have a responsibility to make sure
that this game is in a great place going forward with the CBA, and
caring for our players and building this league to make sure it’s in
a great spot for many years to come.”
Regarding her rehab, Clark told reporters she currently feels like
she’s “in a really good spot” and aims to be able to play in a
five-on-five setting by the end of October.
“I’ve been working really hard to get back to full health, and I
feel like over these last couple of weeks is when I’ve probably
started feeling my best,” Clark said.
Cunningham: ‘Everyone’s just trying to kill each other’
Collier’s message resonated with several players around the league,
including Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, whose season was cut short
because of an MCL injury.
“I’m just tired of our league,” Cunningham said Thursday. “They
need to step up and be better. Our leadership from top to bottom needs
to be held accountable.
“I think that there a lot of people in the position of power in the
WNBA. They might be really great business people, but they don’t know
sh*t about basketball, and that’s got to change.”
Cunningham referenced officiating and games being physical.
“It’s like a battlefield out there,” Cunningham said. “But we
(the players) are agreeing on the court because of how awful the
officials are. That’s saying something.
“Like, listen to us. We’re not going to come for your heads, but I
think there is room for improvement, to change the criteria when the
whole league is asking for it. But leadership isn’t doing anything
about it. Why? Why?
“I think there’s just frustration. The game’s not fun to watch
because everyone’s just trying to kill each other, because that’s
how you’re going to survive. Otherwise, you’re going to get
injured.”
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