"Caitlin Clark should be grateful she makes $16 million" - Napheesa Collier reveals Cathy Engelbert's alleged comments on WNBA's underpaid stars

Napheesa Collier revealed Cathy Engelbert
Napheesa Collier reveals Cathy Engelbert's alleged comments on WNBA's underpaid stars [Picture Credit: Getty]

Napheesa Collier's shocking exit interview is going viral on social media. After the 3-1 loss to the Phoenix Mercury, Collier appeared for media questions. The power forward started by saying that she would like to give her statement before taking questions.

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After congratulating the Phoenix Mercury on advancing to the WNBA Finals, Collier issued a prepared statement criticizing what she called "the worst leadership in the world." Taking aim at league officials, she singled out WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and referenced parts of their conversation from past February.

The Minnesota Lynx star revealed that she asked Engelbert about the brutal salary gap. She asked how the latter intended to tackle the problem, citing players such as Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese, who bring in significant revenue but are paid "so little" in their first four years. To this, Engelbert allegedly said,

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"Caitlin should be grateful to make $16 million off the court, because without the platform that the WNBA gives her, she wouldn't make anything."
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Napheesa Collier also revealed that her statement had nothing to do with winning or losing, but more about the problem with the league. The 2024 Defensive Player of the Year said that she wanted to highlight the "lack of accountability" from the WNBA's front office.

WNBPA had opted out of the Collective Bargaining Agreement in October last year. However, since then, the players' association and the league have not been able to reach an agreement for the new CBA. They have until Oct. 31 to reach the deal.

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Napheesa Collier reveals details about her injury in Game 3

Collier's injury in Game 3 proved to be the turning point in the Lynx vs Mercury semifinal series. With 26 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Mercury's guard Alyssa Thomas stole the ball from Collier.

However, the reply showed that the Lynx star took a big hit in her leg from Thomas. With Collier wincing in pain, Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve rushed to the floor, getting in the face of the official. She was ejected from the game and later suspended for Game 4.

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Npaheesa Collier has to exit the game and was later ruled out for Game 4. During her exit interview, the WNBA star revealed that she tore a couple of ligaments in her ankle after the collision with Thomas.

Reeve was later fined a massive $15K for her conduct during and after the game. In the post-game media interaction, Reeve had asked for "a change in leadership at the league level when it comes to officiating", as per CBS sports.

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Edited by Nandjee Ranjan
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