Overview

• At a pre-Finals news conference, Cathy Engelbert rejected Napheesa Collier’s account about a remark on Caitlin Clark’s endorsements, called recent reporting inaccurate, said she has texted with Collier and will speak next week, vowed to do better, and said she will not resign.
• A wave of players publicly backed Collier and criticized league leadership, including A’ja Wilson and Angel Reese, while Indiana’s Sophie Cunningham escalated her condemnation on a podcast and social media; WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike signaled support for Collier’s stance.
• Caitlin Clark endorsed Collier’s broader points, calling this the most important moment in the league’s history and emphasizing the need for strong leadership, without weighing in on the specific alleged remark.
• A previously aired CNBC interview resurfaced in which Engelbert said Clark could make up to $500,000 in WNBA wages and benefit from the league platform, fueling skepticism about her denial of Collier’s account.
• The standoff intensifies pressure on collective bargaining, with the current agreement set to expire October 31 as players push for higher pay, revenue sharing and benefits, and observers warn a lockout is possible if no deal is reached.