WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert finally faced the media and responded to Napheesa Collier’s verbal attack last Friday, using her annual pre–Game 1 WNBA Finals press conference as the platform to do so.
But while WNBA fans hoped to get a more definitive explanation than the written statement she released on the day Phee scorched earth, many felt she only reframed her original reply and added more questions than answers. Barstool Sports president Dave Portnoy was one of those who thought so, too.
Advertisement
“Prob would have just been clearer to say ‘yes, I said them’ and apologize than talk in circles and make it worse,” wrote”El Presidente” on “X.”
Cathy denied that she talked about Caitlin
It can be recalled that aside from calling Engelbert’s tenure as WNBA commissioner the worst leadership in the world, Collier also revealed several details of a private conversation she shared with her, which depicted a boss who did not care or value the people in the organization.
Advertisement
Phee said that when she asked Cathy about officiating issues, the commissioner told her that only losers complain about referees. Engelbert also allegedly told Collier that she thought players should get on their knees to thank their lucky stars for the TV rights deal the league bagged.
And then, perhaps the most damning one, the claim that Cathy said Caitlin Clark would not make $16 million off the court per year if she did not have the WNBA’s platform. Of course, she denied it all, but Portnoy and many others think it was as weak as her written statement.
“I did not make those comments,” she stressed. “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. Unfortunately, the injuries held her back. But then again, I’m not going to get into every point and counterpoint. It’s not productive here. We’re here to celebrate the WNBA Finals…But as I said, there are a lot of inaccuracies reported out there, and I certainly did not say that.”
Advertisement
Stephen A. has called for Engelbert’s head
Like Portnoy, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith felt that Engelbert did not address the issue at hand. However, Smith was talking about the official statement that the WNBA commissioner issued shortly after Napheesa’s statement. According to Smith, Engelbert gave a “weak a–” reply and looked “guilty as hell” in how she handled the accusations.
Advertisement
“Cathy Engelbert, the commissioner of the league… Let me say for the record: You should resign. You need to resign. Period,” Smith said. “The reason I say that is because when a player, any player, but especially one of that magnitude, attacks you publicly like that, that weak a statement commissioner Engelbert gave is not good enough. And I’m gonna say it, it was a weak a–– statement.”
In her 23-minute rebuttal, Engelbert also mentioned scheduling a meeting with Collier next week to iron out their issues. However, the latest intel from the WNBA community is that Phee reportedly cancelled her meeting with Cathy, leaving more intrigue to this issue.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Oct 5, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
