Cathy Engelbert denies alleged Caitlin Clark comments: 'I certainly did not say that'

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert denied comments she allegedly made about the “platform” the league gives Caitlin Clark. Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier said during a private conversation, Engelbert told her Clark should be “grateful” for the WNBA because of her success off the court.

During a more than four-minute statement to reporters earlier this week, Collier expressed her frustration with Engelbert and WNBA leadership. She also discussed the conversation between the two, when the commissioner allegedly said, “Caitlin should be grateful she makes $16 million off the court because, without the platform that the WNBA givers her, she wouldn’t make anything.”

During her press conference Friday ahead of the WNBA Finals, Engelbert denied such comments. She said they were among “a lot of inaccuracies” this week.

“Obviously, I did not make those comments,” Engelbert told reporters. “Caitlin has been a transformational player in this league. She has been a great representative of the game. She has brought in 10s of millions of new fans to the game. I’m proud of what she’s put on the court. Unfortunately, the injuries held her back from a full season this year.

“But again, I’m not going to get into every point-counterpoint. It’s not productive here. We’re here to celebrate the WNBA Finals. I think what Indiana just did was amazing, with all the injuries they had and everything they faced this year to bring that to a Game 5 in overtime. But as I said, there’s a lot of inaccuracies reported out there. I certainly did not say that.”

Following the Fever’s exit from the playoffs this year, Clark addressed Collier’s statement during her end-of-season press conference. She pointed out the importance of the moment for the league and said Collider had multiple “valid” points, as well.

“First of all, I have great respect for Phee, and I think she might have made a lot of very valid points,” Clark said. “More 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’s been around for 25+ years, and this is a moment we have to capitalize on. So, that’s honestly what I would say. Phee said it all with what she said and the points she made were very valid.”

Caitlin Clark was among a slew of voices from around the league to back Collier following her comments about Cathy Engelbert and the WNBA. Fever teammate Sophie Cunningham also weighed in, as did Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese.