Caitlin Clark responds to WNBA commissioners idiotic statement and backs Napheesa Collier

For anyone actually paying attention, the WNBA has a ton of major problems that extend past the refs that couldn’t even be trusted to officiate YMCA Rec League. The league’s leadership, starting at the top with commissioner Cathy Engelbert, is fumbling the biggest draw women’s basketball history, Caitlin Clark.

Collier revealed earlier this week that she directly confronted Engelbert about rookie salaries. We’re talking about Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers.

Say what you want about the WNBA product but these three are nothing short of generational stars who are bringing millions of eyeballs and revenue into the league, all while being locked into rookie deals that pay them pennies.

Napheesa Collier said she asked Engelbert how this was going to be fixed.

Here’s the response:

“Caitlin should be grateful she makes $16 million off the court because without the platform the WNBA gives her, she wouldn’t make anything.”

Continued:

“Players should be on their knees thanking their lucky stars for the media rights deal that I got them.”

Cathy Engelbert and the WNBA are doing everything possible to push Caitlin Clark out of the league

That’s your commissioner, folks. The one supposedly leading women’s basketball into a new golden era basically telling her stars to bow down and kiss the ring.

Caitlin Clark’s Response

Caitlin Clark speaks on on Napheesa Collier's comments about WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert:

"I have great respect for Phee… she made a lot of valid points. Phee said it all. … This is straight-up the most important moment in this league's history."

(via @TonyREast) pic.twitter.com/SiKG8DeD0L

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 2, 2025

Here’s the truth nobody in league leadership wants to admit

Caitlin Clark doesn’t need the WNBA. At all.

Engelbert can talk all she wants about “providing a platform,” but Clark is the platform. She could literally walk out tomorrow, launch her own league, and within a year it would be pulling bigger numbers than the WNBA. That’s how massive she is.

She doesn’t need Engelbert, she doesn’t need these insulting contracts, and she damn sure doesn’t need to be told she should be grateful.

If the WNBA keeps treating her (and the other stars carrying the league) like replaceable parts, then they’re begging for the day Clark takes her brand, her fanbase, and her billion-dollar potential somewhere else.

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