WNBA Commissioner Denies Alleged Comments About Caitlin Clark and Media Rights Deal

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has refuted claims made by player Napheesa Collier regarding comments about Caitlin Clark and the league's media rights deal. Collier alleged that Engelbert stated Clark "should be grateful she makes $16 million off the court because without the platform that the WNBA gives her, she wouldn’t make anything." Engelbert addressed these allegations at a press conference, stating, "Obviously, I did not make those comments. Caitlin has been a transformational player in this league. She’s been a great representative of the game. She’s brought in tens of millions of new fans to the game."

Collier also claimed that Engelbert said, "Players should be on their knees, thanking their lucky stars for the media rights deal that I got them." While Engelbert acknowledged inaccuracies in media reports, she did not explicitly deny making this particular statement. "There’s a lot of inaccuracy out there through social media and all this reporting," Engelbert said. "A lot of reporting, a lot of inaccuracy about what I say, what I didn’t say."

Expressing her disheartenment over the situation, Engelbert added, "I’m a human too. I have a family. I have two kids who are devastated by these comments. So, all I say is that it’s obviously been a tough week, and I just think there’s a lot of inaccuracy out there."

Engelbert emphasized the importance of player appreciation, stating, "I was disheartened to hear that some players feel the league and that I personally do not care about them or listen to them. If the players in the 'W' don’t feel appreciated and valued from the league, we have to do better, and I have to do better."

The WNBA and its players' union, the WNBPA, are currently negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement. The existing agreement, established in 2020, is set to expire on October 31, 2025, following the WNBPA's decision to opt out early. The union has outlined priorities including a new economic model, increased player salaries, minimum professional standards, expanded retirement benefits, and enhanced family planning support. The league and the union have until October 31, 2025, to reach a new agreement and avoid a work stoppage.