Caitlin Clark Thinks Napheesa Collier Made 'Very Valid Points' In Criticism of WNBA Head

Collier eviscerated WNBA leadership in her exit interview with the Lynx earlier this week.
Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark endorsed Napheesa Collier's criticism of WNBA leadership.
Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark endorsed Napheesa Collier's criticism of WNBA leadership. / Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Lynx star Napheesa Collier made waves earlier this week when she criticized WNBA leadership, specifically Cathy Engelbert, regarding the league's failure to compensate their biggest stars.

"I asked how she planned to fix the fact that players like Caitlin [Clark], Angel [Reese] and Paige [Bueckers], who are clearly driving massive revenue for the league, are making so little their first four years," Collier 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 that same conversation, she told me, 'Players should be on their knee thanking their lucky stars for the media rights deal that I got them.'"

While Clark refused comment on Engelbert's alleged comments about what the Fever star should be thankful for, Clark did give an endorsement of Collier's criticism during Indiana's exit interviews on Thursday.

"I have a lot of respect for 'Phee, and I think she made a lot of very valid points."

The WNBA's CBA expires at the end of this month, and with new television deals continuing to push the league's games to television, expect for there to be plenty of contention regarding player pay as part of the new agreement.

"This is straight up the most important moment in this league's history," Clark added.

She's right.


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Mike McDaniel
MIKE MCDANIEL

Mike McDaniel is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated, where he has worked since January 2022. His work has been featured at InsideTheACC.com, SB Nation, FanSided and more. McDaniel hosts the Hokie Hangover Podcast, covering Virginia Tech athletics, as well as Basketball Conference: The ACC Football Podcast. Outside of work, he is a husband and father, and an avid golfer.