Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham Criticize WNBA Leadership
Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has expressed her support for Napheesa Collier, a player for the Minnesota Lynx, following the latter’s criticism of the WNBA’s leadership. Clark stated that Collier “made a lot of very valid points” and that she has great respect for her. Clark, who missed a large part of the season due to injuries, emphasized the importance of strong leadership at all levels of the league, highlighting the crucial moment the WNBA is experiencing in its history.Collier revealed that WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert told her that Clark “should be grateful to earn 16 million dollars off the court, because without the platform that the WNBA gives her, she wouldn’t earn anything.” Clark, for her part, hadn’t heard that story previously and hasn’t had contact with Engelbert since then. Clark avoided directly answering Engelbert’s supposed comment, but pointed out that the NIL program has allowed college players to develop their brands and earn income before reaching the league, as was her case at Iowa. When asked about what she would consider good leadership, Clark highlighted the importance of relationships. “It’s about relationships, and that’s the truth,” she stated, mentioning relationships with the main office, the league commissioner, and teammates. Sophie Cunningham, Clark’s teammate, went further in her criticism. Cunningham expressed her discontent with the WNBA’s leadership, stating that “they are failing us as a league, they are definitely failing us as players.” Cunningham added that she has received messages from NBA players, surprised by the situation and feeling sorry for the players. “I am tired of our league,” she continued, “They need to step up and be better. Our leadership from top to bottom needs to be held accountable. I think there are a lot of people in positions of power in the WNBA who may be very good businessmen, but they don’t know a damn thing about basketball, and that has to change.” Cunningham also criticized the league’s arbitration and described the league’s leadership in the context of collective bargaining negotiations as “very, very poor.” The WNBA players’ union and the league are in talks, with the current agreement set to expire at the end of October, and players have increasingly expressed their exasperation at the standstill. Cunningham mentioned the possibility of a lockout, warning that the players will not play until they are given what they deserve, which he would consider “the dumbest basketball decision from a business perspective”. Both Cunningham and Clark are out for the 2025 season due to injuries. Clark, who only played 13 games and injured his ankle in August, hopes to start incorporating 5-on-5 play in late October and will prepare for USA Basketball opportunities in the coming months.I think what people need to understand, we need great leadership right now at all levels. This is, bluntly, the most important moment in the history of this league. This league has been around for over 25 years and this is a moment we have to capitalize on.
Caitlin Clark
