Controversy Surrounds WNBA Commissioner Kathy Engelbert
This week, Indiana Fever star Kate Linklark found herself in the middle of a heated debate after WNBPA Vice President Naphesa Collier suggested that league commissioner Kathy Engelbert ought to feel “grateful” for the platform the WNBA provides during discussions about salary issues.
The situation sparked a reaction from Linklark’s teammate, Sophie Cunningham, who took to social media to label Engelbert “the most paranoid leader” in WNBA history.
The controversy erupted when Collier, speaking to the media on Tuesday, addressed what she perceives as a “lack of accountability from the league office.” In her comments, she recounted a conversation with Engelbert, where the commissioner had expressed her views on player concerns in a, perhaps, somewhat dismissive manner.
Citing the dialogue, Collier mentioned, “I sat across from Cathy and asked how we would deal with the issue of hosting our league.” Engelbert reportedly responded, saying, “Only the losers complained about the reference.” Collier pressed further on how Engelbert intended to address the earnings of star players like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers, who, she pointed out, have generated significant income in their early years yet received little in return. Engelbert’s reply was, “Caitlin should have been grateful that she made $16 million off the court because without the platform the WNBA gave her.”
Collier continued to describe Engelbert’s comments, which she perceived as indicative of a problematic mindset at the top. “Players should be grateful to the lucky stars for the media rights deal I have,” she quoted Engelbert.
Engelbert’s alleged remarks drew sharp criticism from Cunningham, who has also had her share of injuries this season, preventing her from playing fully. On social media, she expressed her sentiments clearly, saying, “People only know Cathy for C… She is the most paranoid leader our league has seen.”
While Clark has yet to publicly respond to Collier’s statements, during the recent All-Star break, she joined fellow players in wearing black shirts that read, “I’ll pay us what you owe,” a statement advocating for better compensation amidst ongoing negotiations for the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The WNBA and the Players Association had settled on an eight-year agreement back in 2020, but last year, the players opted out early, and the contract is set to expire on October 31st.
In light of these developments, the conversation about athletes’ compensation in the league continues to grow more complex, with players pushing for fairer treatment as they negotiate their future within the organization.
