Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark’s drama just got another twist, and it’s not coming from the court. The WNBA star, who’s been sidelined with injuries, finally spoke out Thursday about the firestorm surrounding WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, and let’s just say she isn’t exactly feeling the love from the league’s top executive.
According to NBC News, the controversy kicked off earlier this week when Lynx star Napheesa Collier dropped a bombshell statement. Collier accused Engelbert of making some pretty harsh remarks in a private conversation. Engelbert suggested that Clark and other players should be “on their knees” in gratitude. The commissioner allegedly went even further after that. She is pointing directly to Clark’s massive endorsement deals and claiming she wouldn’t have them without the league.
Collier’s statement instantly sparked backlash. Fans and media are calling out the league for what looked like a shocking lack of respect toward one of its brightest stars. Engelbert, clearly feeling the heat, quickly released her own response. She had the “utmost respect” for Collier but was “disheartened” by how her words had been characterized.
Indiana Fever Star Caitlin Clark Breaks Her Silence
Enter Indiana’s Caitlin Clark, speaking publicly for the first time since July’s All-Star Game. Clark admitted she hadn’t even heard Collier’s story until this week. And when asked if Engelbert had reached out to her since all of this blew up, Clark kept her answer short and sharp: “No.”
That one-word response says it all. No explanation. No sugarcoating. Just flat-out confirmation that the WNBA’s commissioner hasn’t made any personal effort to smooth things over with the player at the center of the storm. This was shocking to fans, as this drama has been referred to as the “Most important moment in league history” by Clark herself.
To be clear, Clark wasn’t throwing Collier under the bus. In fact, she supported her. Clark said Collier “made valid points” in her lengthy statement criticizing league officials and their treatment of players. Coming from one of the league’s most marketable faces, that’s no small endorsement.
The timing is also worth noting. Clark has been dealing with a brutal run of injuries. She missed the entire second half of the season with a right groin injury, not to mention what she called the “worst sprained ankle” of her career. She’s still not fully healthy and admitted she’s aiming to get back into five-on-five action sometime in late October. Until then, her focus is on getting right for USA Basketball.
What Is Next for the WNBA?
But despite being sidelined, Clark remains the league’s biggest storyline. This latest episode only adds to the tension between star players and the WNBA’s leadership. The fact that Engelbert hasn’t personally reached out to Clark since Collier’s revelation doesn’t exactly scream unity. Instead, it raises even bigger questions about communication inside the league and how its most marketable player is being treated behind the scenes.
Fans are already weighing in, with many pointing out how unusual it is for a commissioner not to directly address one of the most important players in the league when their name is attached to such controversy. Whether Engelbert eventually makes that call remains to be seen, but the longer the silence, the louder it gets.
For now, Caitlin Clark is staying focused on her recovery. But her calm acknowledgment of the situation leaves a lingering question: if the WNBA can’t take care of its biggest star, what does that say about the rest of the players?
