Caitlin Clark backs up Napheesa Collier’s comments about WNBA leadership

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

WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark, speaking to the media for the first time since her season ended back in July

agrees with Minnesota Lynx star Nafisa Collier. The league needs better leadership

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

Earlier that day, Collier used her exit interview press conference to call out WNBA leadership

specifically Commissioner Kathy Engelbert. Collier said the commissioner told her that Clark should be grateful she makes $16 million off the court

because without the platform the WNBA gives her, she wouldn't make anything

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

This is straight up the most important moment in this league's history

where this league's been around for 25-plus years, and this is a moment we have to capitalize on

So that's honestly what I would say. I think there's fee-set at all with what she said

Clark, the face of the WNBA since she was picked number one overall in 2024

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

It is all about relationships, and that's the truth, and I know that's really hard to say in professional sports

but, you know, whether it's a relationship with your front office, whether it's a relationship with Commissioner of the League

whether it's a relationship with your teammates, that's the most important thing in leadership

Why would my teammates want to listen to me if I didn't have a relationship with them

I think it's the most simple thing. Clark's teammate, Sophie Cunningham, never one to hold her tongue, was even more direct

She said she's not a fan of the commissioner and has been hearing sympathy from fans

and even NBA players about how terrible they're being treated. She said everyone is frustrated

I am because I'm just tired of our league. They need to step up and be better

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

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

The current collective bargaining agreement between the Players Union and the WNBA expires October 31st

For Straight Arrow News, I'm Chris Francis