Napheesa Collier lined a number of bumpy floor in her prolonged end-of-season assertion. Sure, officiating in WNBA video games is substandard. Positive, the collective bargaining settlement is about to run out and negotiations might cripple the league’s extraordinary reputation.
However let’s not bury the lead. It was a remark Collier attributed to WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert in response to the paltry rookie contracts compelled on stars similar to Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers that would have lasting influence.
Throughout Indiana Fever exit interviews Thursday, Clark mentioned she was unaware of Collier’s unabashed finger-pointing, which went like this:
“I … requested how [Engelbert] deliberate to repair the truth that gamers like Caitlin, Angel and Paige, who’re clearly driving huge income for the league, are making so little for his or her first 4 years,” Collier mentioned Tuesday. “Her response was, ‘Caitlin ought to be grateful she makes $16 million off the courtroom as a result of with out the platform the WNBA provides her, she wouldn’t make something.’”
Collier added that Engelbert informed her, “gamers ought to be on their knees thanking their fortunate stars for the media rights deal that I received them.”
Reporters stuffed in Clark on what Collier mentioned. Then Clark took a breath and responded.
“To begin with, I’ve nice respect for [Collier],” Clark mentioned. “I feel she made a number of very legitimate factors. I feel what folks want to know is we want nice management in all ranges. … This can be a second we’ve to capitalize on…. ‘Phee mentioned all of it.”
She alluded to the rising earnings alternatives afforded girls gamers, even on the school stage with NIL cash.
“I feel that’s in all probability the way in which wherein the league has modified over the course of the previous couple of years,” she mentioned. “These youngsters in what they’re making in school nowadays is insane, and it’s in all probability greater than what I used to be making.
“Younger girls are starting to construct their manufacturers in school and bringing that to the WNBA. We’re within the greatest second in WNBA historical past. There’s no denying that, everyone is aware of that.”
Clark missed the final 19 regular-season video games and the Fever’s spirited playoff run due to a proper groin pressure and a bone bruise in her left ankle. She mentioned that though it was “in all probability one of many worst sprains I’ve ever handled,” it’s “very cheap” that she could possibly be again to 5-on-5 play by the top of October.
Requested the place she would possibly play in the course of the lengthy WNBA offseason, Clark demurred, smiling as she mentioned she’ll take a look at all alternatives. She did point out that USA Basketball would doubtless be her prime precedence.
In any other case, Clark’s focus appears to be on the WNBA, with CBA negotiations looming.
“I would like the league to be one thing youngsters and adults — everybody — may be happy with,” she mentioned. “I hope that’s what my legacy may be.”
Clark’s teammate Lexie Hull, an alternate crew consultant in CBA negotiations, additionally spoke about the way forward for the WNBA. Neither participant sounded as if a strike or lockout would profit anybody.
“We’re nonetheless headed ahead and up,” Hull mentioned. “The expansion of the game has proven you may’t set a bar as a result of we proceed to achieve farther and increase. It’s so thrilling to be a participant at this pivotal time within the sport.
“I’m actually hopeful that will likely be valued, particularly with CBA negotiations developing. We’ll see how the league values us as gamers and as drivers of that development.”
