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Indiana Fever Star Caitlin Clark emphasized the need for “great leadership” in the middle of the controversy that has shrouded WNBA after alleged comments by Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
Meanwhile, teammate Sophie Cunningham doubled on her condemnation of Engelbert and said the league “fails” his players.
Caitlin Clark poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, after she is selected as the No. 1 total election of Indiana Fever in 2024 WNBA Draft at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in Brooklyn, New York, April 15, 2024. (Brad Penner/USA Today Sports)
The two Fever Stars approached the situation during their exit interviews on Thursday.
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Clark, who missed the majority of her second campaign due to a groin and ankle injury, said she was not aware of the comments that Engelbert allegedly made during a conversation with Minnesota Lynx Star Napheesa Collier and has not spoken to the Commissioner since.
Collier claimed during his exit interview on Tuesday that Engelbert made condescending comments about the player’s concerns, including official and compensation. With regard to player injuries like Clarks, Collier claimed that Engelbert said “Caitlin should be grateful that she earns $ 16 million from the field, because without the platform that WNBA gives her, she would do nothing.”
“I have great respect for Phee and I think she made many very valid points and I think what people need to understand [is that] We need a lot of management at this time at all levels, “Clark said in response.
Sophie Cunningham (8) and Caitlin Clark (22) from Indiana Fever cheer from the bench against Chicago Sky at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, June 7, 2025. (Daniel Bartel/Getty Images)
Fever’s Sophie Cunningham slams WNBA commissioner as ‘delusional leader’ after alleged Caitlin Clark -Marks
“This is straight up, the most important moment of this league’s history,” she continued. “This is a moment we need to take advantage of.”
Clark was asked what good leadership looked like to her, and the former Iowa stand out said “relationship”, apparently hint of the interruption between Engelbert and the league’s players.
“I think for me, and I’ve said it many times it’s about relationships, and that’s the truth. And I know it’s really hard to say in professional sports. But whether it’s a relationship with your front office, whether it’s a relationship with the commissioner of the league, whether it’s your relationship with your teammates – that’s the most important thing in leadership.”
Cunningham, in turn, talked more directly about the situation.
“I’m just tired of our league. They have to step up and be better. Our head-to-bottom leadership needs to be held responsible. I think there are a lot of people in the positions of power in WNBA, as they may be really good business people, but they don’t know S — about basketball and it’s gotta change.”
Sophie Cunningham #8 by Indiana Fever looks at during the first half of a game against Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena on August 5, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The former Phoenix Mercury Star, who joined the fever during the high season, focused primarily on officating this last season.
“The game is not fun to watch because everyone is just trying to kill each other because that’s how you want to survive, otherwise you’ll be hurt.”
Cunningham continued to say that the management of Wnba is “failing us.”
“Not really a fan of our leadership in W. I just think they are failing us as a league. Definitely failed us as players. Everything Phee said we all feel that way and we all want to support her and I think it’s pretty strong from her.”
Cunningham took another shot at Engelbert when he specifically asked about her alleged remarks about Clark.
“I think it’s pretty shameful that she always does it to her, Cathy when it should have nothing to do with her.”
Players’ Association and WNBA accepted an eight-year deal in 2020, but last year WNBPA voted to opt out of the agreement early. The current agreement will expire on October 31st.
