Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier noted that WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert told her Caitlin Clark and others “should be grateful” for the league despite her tiny salary

View Image

Napheesa Collier and Caitlin Clark at the 2025 WNBA All-Star game(Image: Getty Images)

WNBA Players Association vice president Napheesa Collier chose to begin her end-of-season press conference with a four-minute speech expressing her disappointment in the league’s leadership, specifically naming Commissioner Cathy Engelbert on multiple occasions.

Collier, a five-time All-Star with the Minnesota Lynx, revealed a private conversation she had with Engelbert about star players like Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark earning far less than they should.

Clark, the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, earned $78,066 from the league this season.

Collier, who led the charge in the WNBA players opting out of the league’s CBA a year early last October (to set the table for negotiations this fall), didn’t mince her words.

“I also asked how she planned to fix the fact that players like Caitlin, Angel [Reese], and Paige [Bueckers], who are clearly driving massive revenue for the league, are making so little for their first four years,” she said.

“Her response was, ‘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.”

“In the same conversation, she told me players should be on their knees, thanking their lucky stars for the media rights deal that I got them,” Collier added.

At the league’s All-Star game in July, Collier, Clark, and other WNBA superstars wore shirts that read “Pay us what you owe us.”

Engelbert and the WNBA responded within a few hours.

“I have the utmost respect for Napheesa Collier and for all the players in the WNBA,” she said in a statement.

“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.”

ESPN’s Alexa Phillipou reached out to the Fever in hopes of receiving a comment from Clark and received a response back: “Caitlin Clark has no comment on this statement.”

She did receive comments from both Indiana head coach Stephenie White and guard Lexie Hull, a good friend of Clark’s. ”

“I have a lot of respect for Phee. … .

I’m thankful that we have strong women who are willing to say the things that matter and say the things that will move the needle for change,” White said.

Hull echoed the sentiment. “I think I agree with everything she said.

We’re at a really important time in the league, and changes need to be made, and so you’re seeing her talk about that and really proud of her for making that statement today,” she said.