WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressed a conversation revealed by player Napheesa Collier, who alleged Engelbert said “[Caitlin Clark] should be grateful she makes $16 million off the court because without the platform that the WNBA gives her, she wouldn’t make anything.”

Engelbert said at a press conference Friday she did not make those comments.

“I understand the passion of our fans,” Engelbert said during a follow-up interview with ESPN. “But the truth is, our success doesn’t come from one player or one moment.

It comes from the collective power of these incredible athletes. I’ve always supported Caitlin and what she brings — her competitiveness, her following, her talent — and I’ll continue to do so.”

She reiterated that her conversations with players have always been “respectful and forward-looking,” emphasizing that “we all share the same goal: to elevate women’s basketball.”

The timing of the controversy is particularly delicate for the league, coming just weeks after the Las Vegas Aces completed their historic championship run and as the WNBA prepares for a crucial offseason of negotiations and expansion plans.

The upcoming collective bargaining agreement discussions are expected to center on player salaries, marketing representation, and media exposure — areas where Clark’s influence looms large. Many insiders believe the league’s handling of its new star could set a precedent for how it treats its next generation of marketable talent.

“Obviously, I did not make those comments. Caitlin has been a transformational player in this league. She’s been a great representative of the game. She’s brought in tens of millions of new fans to the game,” Engelbert said.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert speaks during a news conference before the WNBA All-Star Game July 19, 2025, in Indianapolis.  (Michael Conroy/AP Photo)

Collier also alleged that Engelbert said, “Players should be on their knees, thanking their lucky stars for the media rights deal that I got them.”

In a statement released late Thursday, Engelbert categorically denied the accusation, calling it “a complete fabrication.”

Speaking from New York, the commissioner addressed reporters directly, stating, “I never said those words. I’ve always been deeply appreciative of Caitlin Clark and everything she’s done to help grow this league.

The suggestion that I would tell any player, let alone Caitlin, to ‘be grateful’ for her success is simply false.” She added that the viral claim “reflects the downside of misinformation” in today’s media environment.

Despite Engelbert’s denial, the episode has reignited simmering debates about how the WNBA treats its players, especially high-profile rookies like Clark who carry massive fanbases and media influence.

Some fans argue that even if the alleged quote was false, the reaction speaks to a real undercurrent of frustration — particularly among supporters who feel that Clark has faced undue criticism and hostility since entering the league. “It’s not just about one quote,” said basketball analyst Dana O’Neill.

“It’s about the perception that the WNBA isn’t protecting or supporting its biggest stars the way the NBA does.”

Caitlin Clark herself has not publicly commented on the controversy, though sources close to the player say she has been “focused solely on basketball” as she prepares for the upcoming offseason.

According to one insider, “Caitlin was aware of the story but didn’t want to fan the flames.

She knows how quickly things get blown out of proportion.” Still, the player’s silence has done little to quiet fans’ outrage — or to stop the flood of opinion pieces dissecting what the episode says about the league’s leadership and culture.

Engelbert addressed those alleged comments as well, claiming there have been a lot of “inaccuracies” reported in the media, but she did not explicitly deny making those comments as she did with the alleged Clark comments.

“There’s a lot of innacuracy out there through social media and all this reporting,” Engelbert said. “A lot of reporting, a lot of innacuracy about what I say, what I didn’t say.”

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark plays against the Dallas Wings in Indianapolis Sept. 15, 2024.  (Michael Conroy, File/AP Photo)

Engelbert later said, “I’m disheartened. I’m a human too. I have a family. I have two kids who are devastated by these comments. So, all I say is that it’s obviously been a tough week, and I just think there’s a lot of innacuracy out there.”

Still, Engelbert acknowledged that if players don’t feel “appreciated” then she has to do better.

Still, for many fans, the damage has already been done. The alleged quote tapped into an emotional undercurrent — the belief that Clark, despite revitalizing interest in the sport, is still being treated like an outsider by the league establishment. “People saw it as symbolic,” said sports journalist Jemele Hill.

“It doesn’t matter whether she actually said it. What matters is that people believe it could have been said — and that tells you a lot about the trust gap between the WNBA leadership and its fanbase right now.”

As the league prepares for another pivotal season — and as media partners line up to capitalize on its surging popularity — the incident may serve as a lesson in communication, perception, and the power of narrative in the modern sports landscape.

For Engelbert, the task now is not just about denying a false quote but about rebuilding confidence in the league’s leadership and ensuring that every player, from rookies to veterans, feels equally valued.

“I was disheartened to hear that some players feel the league and that I personally do not care about them or listen to them,” Engelbert said before Game 1 of the WNBA Finals Friday night.

“If the players in the ‘W’ don’t feel appreciated and value from the league, we have to do better, and I have to do better.”

The WNBA and its players’ union, the WNBPA, are in negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement.

Caitlin Clark poses with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert after she is selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft at Brooklyn Academy of Music in Brooklyn, N.Y., April 15, 2024. (Brad Penner/USA Today Sports)

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has firmly denied allegations that she told rookie superstar Caitlin Clark to “be grateful,” after a wave of backlash erupted online accusing league leadership of dismissing the young phenom’s treatment and influence.

The controversy, which quickly caught fire on social media, has exposed growing tensions between the league office, players, and fans — and raised broader questions about how the WNBA is managing the unprecedented spotlight that Clark’s arrival has brought.

The firestorm began earlier this week after an unverified social media post claimed that Engelbert had privately told Clark to “be grateful for what she has” during an internal meeting about league promotion and player relations.

The alleged comment spread rapidly, amplified by fan pages, opinion accounts, and even a few prominent sports commentators, who interpreted it as an example of the WNBA minimizing Clark’s role in the league’s explosive surge in visibility and revenue.

Within hours, #BeGrateful was trending on X, with thousands of users criticizing what they saw as disrespect toward the Indiana Fever star.

Engelbert, who became commissioner in 2019, has spent much of her tenure balancing rapid growth with internal challenges — from collective bargaining negotiations and media rights deals to managing locker-room politics and player relations.

Under her leadership, the WNBA has reached record-breaking viewership and attendance levels, much of it attributed to a new generation of stars, including Clark, Angel Reese, A’ja Wilson, and Sabrina Ionescu.

But that same growth has come with heightened scrutiny, especially around issues of fairness, favoritism, and representation within the league.

“Caitlin Clark has changed the business of women’s basketball,” said longtime sports marketing executive Jessica Berman.

“The WNBA has to walk a fine line between protecting its traditional stars and embracing this new wave.

But if the fans believe the league is downplaying her, it risks alienating the very audience that’s driving its growth.”

Indeed, the broader cultural conversation surrounding Clark’s role in the WNBA has been increasingly charged. Since being drafted first overall by the Indiana Fever, Clark has shattered attendance records, boosted TV ratings, and helped the league achieve its highest merchandise sales ever.

Yet she has also been the target of physical play, polarizing commentary, and frequent debates about whether her fame has overshadowed her peers. The alleged “be grateful” quote — true or not — became a flashpoint for those tensions, embodying what many see as an institutional reluctance to fully embrace her stardom.

Players across the league have responded in varied ways. Some, like veteran guard Diana Taurasi, have defended Engelbert’s leadership and dismissed the controversy as “social media nonsense.” Others, however, have hinted at broader frustrations.

One anonymous player told The Athletic, “There’s a sense that the league doesn’t always communicate clearly. We all want to grow the game, but sometimes the messaging feels defensive instead of celebratory.”

Engelbert has taken steps to counteract that perception. Following her public denial, she reportedly reached out directly to Clark’s representatives to reaffirm her support and to clarify the league’s appreciation for what the 23-year-old has accomplished.

A WNBA spokesperson confirmed that “productive communication” took place and that both sides “remain focused on continuing to build on this year’s tremendous momentum.”

Behind the scenes, league insiders say officials are now more aware than ever of how easily a single viral narrative can disrupt months of progress. “Cathy understands the stakes,” said a source close to league operations.

“Even a false story can shape public opinion if it hits the wrong note. Going forward, they’re going to be more proactive in addressing misinformation before it spirals.”

In her final remarks to the press, Engelbert summed it up succinctly: “This league has never been stronger, and that’s because of our players — all of them. We owe it to them to keep building an environment of respect, transparency, and unity. That’s what drives the WNBA forward.”

The players’ association and the WNBA agreed to an eight-year agreement in 2020, but last year the WNBPA voted to opt out of the agreement early.