NEED TO KNOW
- Caitlin Clark has broken her silence after Napheesa Collier claimed WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert told her Clark “should be grateful” to the league for her sponsorship deals
- Clark said she thought Collier “made a lot of very valid points” about the league’s leadership
- “This is a moment we have to capitalize on,” Clark said of the “most important moment in this league’s history”
Caitlin Clark has broken her silence on the alleged controversial comments made about her by WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
Clark, 23, spoke to reporters during end-of-season exit interviews with the Indiana Fever on Thursday, Oct. 2, two days after Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier claimed Engelbert said Clark “should be grateful” to the league for her sponsorship deals.
“Well I mean, first of all, I have great respect for Phee [Collier’s nickname] and I think she made a lot very valid points. And what people need to understand, we need great leadership in this time across all levels.”
“This is, straight up, the most important moment in this leagues history,” Clark continued. “This is a moment we have to capitalize on, so, that’s honestly what I would say, You know, Phee said it all with what she said.”
In a series of follow-up questions, Clark said Engelbert has not contacted her since Collier spoke out, and the Fever star had also not heard about Engelbert’s alleged comments before Collier shared them on Tuesday.
Collier made the claims in a prepared statement to reporters before taking questions about the Lynx’s season. She slammed the league and discussed a conversation she had with Engelbert in which she challenged the commissioner on the league’s low salaries for young stars like Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers.
“Her response was, ‘Caitlin should be grateful she made $16 million off the court because without the platform the WNBA gives her, she wouldn’t make anything,’ ” Collier told reporters.
Prior to Thursday’s exit interview, the Fever said Clark would “not be commenting at this time” following Collier’s claims, as the team headed into Game 5 of their semifinal matchup against the Las Vegas Aces.
Engelbert said in a statement Tuesday, shared with PEOPLE, that she was “disheartened” by Collier’s comments.
“I have the utmost respect for Napheesa Collier and for all the players in the WNBA. 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.”
Read the original article on People
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