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“Be Grateful”: WNBA Commissioner Sends Strong Message on Caitlin Clark
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- “Be Grateful”: WNBA Commissioner Sends Strong Message on Caitlin Clark
Since being drafted No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft, superstar guard Caitlin Clark has been the league's biggest draw.
Historic crowds and television audiences watched Clark set rookie assist and scoring records as she led the Fever to the playoffs and won Rookie of the Year in 2024.
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Clark played just 13 games this season due to injury, but her profile has continued to grow. The All-Star weekend came to Indianapolis, and she released her first line of Nike apparel featuring her signature logo.
The entire time, Clark's WNBA salary — her rookie contract averages $84,514 per season — has not reflected her true value to the league, estimated by some to be as much as $1 billion .
But as far as WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert is concerned, Clark should "be grateful" for the league, not the other way around.
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Caitlin Clark (left) poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after she is selected with the top overall pick to the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft.Brad Penner-Imagn Images
This revelation came from Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier , who shared a conversation she had with the commissioner as part of her exit interview for the Lynx on Tuesday.
"Caitlin should be grateful she makes $16 million off the court because without the platform the WNBA gives her, she wouldn't make anything," Engelbert said, according to Collier.
Engelbert's quote was a response to Collier asking her how she plans to address the fact that players like Clark, Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese and Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers make so little on their rookie contracts compared to the revenue they generate for the WNBA.
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Collier is a vice president of the Women's National Basketball Players Association, which is in negotiations with the league over a new collective bargaining agreement .
She is also co-founder of Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 offseason league that employs many WNBA players. Unrivaled serves as competition to Engelbert's enterprise by offering premium salaries and amenities that the WNBA cannot match under its current CBA, which expires Oct. 31.
In July, Clark called out Engelbert over inconsistent player compensation after the Fever won the WNBA Commissioner's Cup.
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"You get more [money] for this than you do if you're the [WNBA] champion," Clark said. "It makes no sense. Someone tell Cathy to help us out."
Clark had no comment on Engelbert's remarks that were shared by Collier on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Alexa Philippou .
Clark's Fever face the Las Vegas Aces in Game 5 of the WNBA semifinals Tuesday night at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2 with a spot in the finals on the line.
As the postseason — and the current CBA — approaches its conclusion, Collier's comments add to the feeling of tension between Engelbert and the league's biggest stars that is sure to dominate the offseason discourse.
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Paige Bueckers, Sophie Cunningham and Angel Reese Show Support for Collier
Several WNBA stars publicly voiced their support for Collier following her comments.
Bueckers shared an Instagram story from the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game featuring a photo of her with Collier, captioned, "Queen Phee 👑."
Reese also chimed in on Twitter/X with a message of support.
Clark's teammate Sophie Cunningham took to Instagram, commenting on a Sideline Sources post by writing, "people only know Cathy because of C…. She's the most delusional leader our league has seen."
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Additional backing came from across the league, including Fever guard Lexie Hull , Fever head coach Stephanie White , the WNBPA and others.
Related: Caitlin Clark's Earnings Are Likely Lower Than You Think
Related: Caitlin Clark Issues Demand to WNBA Commissioner After Fever Win
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Sep 30, 2025, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
