The WNBA stands at a pivotal moment in its history. The arrival of stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese has injected unprecedented momentum into the league-but also sparked new tensions. The latest controversy centers around three of the most influential women in the sport: Clark, Napheesa Collier, and Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
Relations between Collier and Engelbert have reportedly been strained for some time. But the situation escalated dramatically this Tuesday when Collier, vice president of the WNBPA, disclosed a private conversation she had with Engelbert back in February.
According to Collier, Engelbert allegedly said that Clark “should be grateful she makes $16 million off the court, because without the platform the WNBA gives her, she wouldn’t do anything.”
Collier claims she shared Engelbert’s remarks with Clark and the entire WNBPA. Clark, however, has publicly denied any knowledge of the comments. A new report suggests otherwise.
Did Caitlin Clark know about Engelbert’s alleged remarks?
Following the Indiana Fever’s playoff elimination, a reporter asked Clark whether she was aware of Engelbert’s alleged comments. Her response was a firm “No.”
Yet a report by ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Kendra Andrews states: “Multiple sources contacted by ESPN said Collier relayed Engelbert’s comments to them within several days of their February meeting.”
This revelation has led commentators like Essentially Sports’ Soham Kulkarni to question the truth behind the controversy.
Kulkarni outlines three possible scenarios:
- Collier is telling the truth and informed Clark, who chose not to escalate the situation.
- Collier shared the remarks with some players-but not Clark.
- Engelbert never made the comments in question.
Engelbert responds-but is it a denial?
At a press conference ahead of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, Engelbert addressed the controversy: “There’s a lot of inaccuracy out there through social media and all of this reporting.”
“I highly respect the players. There’s a lot of emotion and passion going on right now around the collective bargaining… I am obviously disheartened,” she added.
To analysts like Kulkarni, Engelbert’s statement falls short of a clear denial. The ambiguity leaves the conflict unresolved-casting a shadow over the ongoing collective bargaining agreement negotiations and potentially complicating the league’s future.
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