Caitlin Clark reacted to comments made by fellow WNBA star Napheesa Collier about the lack of leadership from the commissioner's office.
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First of all, I have a lot of, I have great respect for Fee, and I think she made a lot of very valid points
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WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark, speaking to the media for the first time since her season ended back in July
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agrees with Minnesota Lynx star Nafisa Collier. The league needs better leadership
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Clark spoke during the Indiana Fever's exit interviews on Thursday. Their season ended Tuesday night with a Game 5 loss to the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA semifinals
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Earlier that day, Collier used her exit interview press conference to call out WNBA leadership
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specifically Commissioner Kathy Engelbert. Collier said the commissioner told her that Clark should be grateful she makes $16 million off the court
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because without the platform the WNBA gives her, she wouldn't make anything
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Clark said she hadn't heard that story before Tuesday. What people need to understand, we need great leadership in this time across all levels
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This is straight up the most important moment in this league's history
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where this league's been around for 25-plus years, and this is a moment we have to capitalize on
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So that's honestly what I would say. I think there's fee-set at all with what she said
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Clark, the face of the WNBA since she was picked number one overall in 2024
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was limited to 13 games this season because of various injuries She hadn played since July 15th when she suffered a right groin injury that ultimately ended her season She averaged 16 points 8 assists and 5 rebounds in her 13 games and was asked what great leadership looks like
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It is all about relationships, and that's the truth, and I know that's really hard to say in professional sports
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but, you know, whether it's a relationship with your front office, whether it's a relationship with Commissioner of the League
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whether it's a relationship with your teammates, that's the most important thing in leadership
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Why would my teammates want to listen to me if I didn't have a relationship with them
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I think it's the most simple thing. Clark's teammate, Sophie Cunningham, never one to hold her tongue, was even more direct
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She said she's not a fan of the commissioner and has been hearing sympathy from fans
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and even NBA players about how terrible they're being treated. She said everyone is frustrated
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I am because I'm just tired of our league. They need to step up and be better
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Our leadership from top to bottom needs to be held accountable. I think that there are a lot of people in the position of powers in the WNBA who they might be really great business people
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but they don't know about basketball and that's got to change. Cunningham characterized the state of CBA negotiations with the league as very, very poor
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The current collective bargaining agreement between the Players Union and the WNBA expires October 31st
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For Straight Arrow News, I'm Chris Francis
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