INDIANA FEVER star Sophie Cunningham defended team-mate Caitlin Clark after WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s “delusional” statements.
Engelbert, 60, landed herself in hot water after some fiery comments made by Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier.
Collier, 29, claimed the commissioner once told her Clark, 23, “should be grateful” to the WNBA for securing her multiple sponsorship deals.
Collier said: “Her response was, ‘Caitlin should be grateful she made $16million off the court because without the platform the WNBA gives her, she wouldn’t make anything’.”
Cunningham, 29, weighed in on the ongoing drama and didn’t hold back on her scathing criticism.
The shooting guard doubled down by stating no one would have even known Engelbert if it wasn’t for Clark.
Cunningham said: “People only know Cathy because of C. She’s the most delusional leader our league has seen.
“And it shouldn’t ever be about our commissioner in the first place.”
Engelbert addressed Collier’s statements by insisting she respects the power forward even though she is “disheartened” by what was said.
The commissioner said: “I have the utmost respect for Napheesa Collier and for all the players in the WNBA.
“Together we have all worked tirelessly to transform this league. My focus remains on ensuring a bright future for the players and the WNBA, including collaborating on how we continue to elevate the game.
“I am disheartened by how Napheesa characterized our conversations and league leadership, but even when our perspectives differ, my commitment to the players and to this work will not waver.”
Many WNBA stars rallied behind Collier, among them was Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson.
Wilson said: “I had an opportunity to listen to ‘Phee [Collier], and I just want to say I was honestly disgusted by the comments Cathy made.
“But at the same time, I’m very appreciative that we have people like ‘Phee in our committee of our Player’s Association representing us, because that’s where we’re going to have to continue to make the push to stand on what we believe in, and I’m grateful to have those type of people be able to continue to speak up for us.
“I’m gonna ride with ‘Phee always, because she knows, obviously she’s a business girlie and she has her own stuff going on, but moving forward we’ve got to continue to stand on business as we talk about this CBA [Collective Bargaining Agreement] negotiation.”
Engelbert could be on her way out after the ongoing CBA negotiations.
