Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert Responds to Allegations and Criticism by Players, Announces Reforms

Cathy Engelbert appeared in front of the media on Friday.

Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert responded to the allegations made by Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier as well as the criticism of leadership from various players. Engelbert, who has been under heavy scrutiny of league players, took the podium before Game 1 of the 2025 WNBA Finals between the Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury. She denied the alleged remarks about Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark, while admitting that the rest of the league have to do a better job of looking after the players.

Notably, after the Lynx’s disappointing exit from the playoffs, Napheesa Collier called out the WNBA leader ship, while accusing Engelbert for insulting Clark. She had also pointed out multiple issues including quality of officiating, inadequate salaries and more. While Engelbert had already released a statement responding to the same, she appeared in front of the media on Friday, and addressed all the comments.

“I have the utmost respect for Napheesa and for every single player in our league,” Engelbert said. “They are at the center of everything we do. I was disheartened to hear that some players feel the league and me personally do not care about them or listen to them. And if the players in the W don’t feel appreciated and valued by the league, then we have to do better and I have to do better.”

Addressing the officiating issues, the 60-year-old said, “As it relates to officiating and gameplay on the court, we hear the concerns. We take them seriously. We are establishing a multi-stakeholder task force, call it like a state of the game committee, inviting player voices and other stakeholders to that table to ensure that our officiated platform evolves in step with the growth of the league.”

Cathy Engelbert Denies Making Remarks Against Caitlin Clark

Cathy Engelbert playing the victim card after bashing Caitlin Clark:

“I'm a human too, I have a family, I have two kids” 🤡
pic.twitter.com/kkk9Ftzwsn
— BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) October 3, 2025

While Cathy Engelbert addressed most of the issues, she denied making any derogatory remarks against the Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark. Phee, in her exit interview, accused Engelbert of saying, “Caitlin should be grateful she makes $16 million off the court because without the platform that the WNBA gives her, she wouldn’t make anything.”

However, in response, the WNBA Commissioner denied the accusations, and said that Clark has brought transformation in the league. “I did not make those comments,” she stated. “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. Proud of what she’s put on the court.”

Apart from all of this, she confirmed that the league is undertaking few reforms which would evolve officiating and ensure the league’s growth. She also ensured that the league would take necessary steps to guarantee player safety and exciting competition.

Cathy Engelbert

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.