Caitlin Clark has damaged her silence after Napheesa Collier’s scathing assault on the WNBA’s management on Tuesday.
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert allegedly advised Collier that Clark ‘ought to be grateful’ for the league giving her the platform to earn a fortune in endorsements regardless of making below $80,000 a yr in wage.
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Clark’s assertion has been extremely anticipated, with the 23-year-old thought-about the WNBA’s largest star and credited with the large progress of the league within the final 12 months.
Requested in regards to the reported feedback, which got here in a four-minute blast from Collier, Clark refused to name out Engelbert straight — initially joking that she hadn’t seen the storm brewing.
“I’ve nice respect for Phee. I believe she made lots of legitimate factors,” she stated. “We’d like nice management throughout all ranges.
“That is straight-up crucial second on this league’s historical past.”
Engelbert was straight referred to as out by Collier on Tuesday, leaving her job in query.
The Minnesota Lynx star made a sequence of allegations, which included her recalling conversations between herself and Engelbert about Clark.
“I requested [Engelbert] how she deliberate to repair the truth that gamers like [Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers], who’re clearly driving huge income for the league and are making so little for his or her first 4 years,” she stated in her brutal four-minute assault on the WNBA.
“Her response was, ‘[Clark] ought to be grateful. She makes $16 million off the court docket as a result of with out the platform that the WNBA provides her, she would not make something.’
“And in that very same dialog, she advised me, ‘Gamers ought to be on their knees, thanking their fortunate stars for the media rights deal that I acquired them.'”
On Tuesday, the WNBA introduced that USA Community will be a part of its 11-year, $2.2 billion deal that kicks in subsequent yr.
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Different WNBA gamers have additionally backed Collier’s remarks, with a number of the league’s largest stars taking to social media on Tuesday.
“I believe I agree with every thing [Collier] stated,” Clark’s teammate Lexie Hull advised reporters.
“We’re at a very essential time within the league and modifications should be made, and so that you’re seeing her speak about that, and actually pleased with her for making that assertion at the moment.”
“10/10. No notes!” Angel Reese posted on X.
Whereas Fever head coach Stephanie White stated, “I’ve lots of respect for Phee.
“I am grateful that we have now sturdy girls which might be prepared to say the issues that matter and say the issues that may transfer the needle for change.”
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