Sophie Cunningham Blasts Cathy Engelbert Over Caitlin Clark Comments, Lexie Hull Stands With Napheesa Collier
The WNBA is in turmoil once again, as a new wave of criticism has emerged against league commissioner Cathy Engelbert following controversial comments regarding superstar rookie Caitlin Clark. This time, the backlash has come not just from fans but from players themselves—led by Sophie Cunningham, who issued a fiery public statement, and Lexie Hull, who backed fellow star Napheesa Collier after her explosive remarks about the league’s leadership.
The escalating tension comes at a pivotal moment for women’s basketball, where unprecedented media coverage, fan engagement, and commercial interest have coincided with mounting criticism of how the league treats its most visible stars.
Collier’s “Pipe Bomb” Against the Commissioner
The drama intensified earlier this week when Napheesa Collier, one of the league’s premier talents and a co-owner of the new women’s basketball venture Unrivaled, accused Engelbert of dismissive and damaging behavior.
According to Collier, Engelbert told her directly: “Only losers complain about the refs” and further implied that Clark should be “grateful” to the WNBA, as the league was supposedly responsible for her lucrative sponsorship deals.
Those remarks struck a nerve. Clark, even before joining the WNBA, had already built a powerhouse personal brand through her record-breaking NCAA career at Iowa. With Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, she commanded national sponsorships well before stepping foot in a professional arena.
Collier countered that narrative sharply: “We go to battle every day to protect the shield for a league that doesn’t value us, man.”
Adding fuel to the fire, Collier revealed she suffered torn ligaments in her ankle during a grueling matchup, highlighting the physical toll players endure without, in her view, sufficient recognition or protection from league leadership.
Sophie Cunningham Enters the Fight
If Collier lit the match, Sophie Cunningham poured gasoline on the flames. The fiery Phoenix Mercury guard, known for her outspoken personality, took to social media to respond directly to Engelbert’s alleged comments.
“People only know Kathy because of Caitlin,” Cunningham wrote. “She’s the most delusional leader our league has seen and shouldn’t EVER be about our commissioner in the first place.”
The statement quickly went viral. Supporters rallied behind Cunningham, praising her for saying what many within the WNBA community have quietly whispered: that Engelbert has tried to position herself at the center of the league’s story instead of its athletes.
Many fans warned Cunningham that she could face fines from the league for her words, but others pledged to support her financially if necessary. Some even joked about creating a GoFundMe to cover any potential penalties, underscoring the widespread frustration at the commissioner’s leadership.
Lexie Hull Stands Behind Collier
Meanwhile, Lexie Hull of the Indiana Fever added her voice to the conversation, publicly aligning with Collier’s perspective.
“I think I agree with everything she said,” Hull declared. “We’re at a really important time in the league, and changes need to be made. I’m really proud of her for making that statement today.”
Hull’s remarks carried added weight, given that she is a teammate of Caitlin Clark. Her support demonstrated that frustrations within the Fever organization—and among Clark’s inner circle—are not isolated but widely felt.
The Commissioner Responds
In the face of growing backlash, Engelbert issued a carefully worded statement attempting to smooth tensions:
“I have the utmost respect for Napheesa Collier and for all the players in the WNBA. Together, we all work tirelessly to transform this league. My focus remains on ensuring a bright future for the players in the WNBA, including collaborating on how we continue to elevate the game. I am disheartened by how Napheesa characterized our conversations, but even when our perspectives differ, my commitment to the players and to this work will not waver.”
The response, however, did little to quell the outrage. Critics argued the statement was generic, avoided accountability, and failed to address the specific accusations leveled against her.
Coaches Join the Chorus
The controversy also follows comments from high-profile WNBA coaches. Both Cheryl Reeve and Becky Hammon have openly criticized the league’s handling of physical play and refereeing, drawing attention to Clark’s repeated run-ins with defenders in her rookie season.
Observers note that Clark, in just 13 professional games, has already been involved in multiple incidents involving rough or borderline play. If extrapolated across a full season, fans fear she could be at risk of constant targeting.
Hammon bluntly compared the WNBA’s tolerance for excessive contact to the NBA, saying: “This doesn’t happen there.”
Reeve, meanwhile, lost her composure in a recent game after a string of controversial calls and was ejected, further underscoring how strained relations between coaches and the league office have become.
The Bigger Picture
At the heart of the issue is the tension between a league desperate to grow and a new generation of players whose star power may already outshine the WNBA brand itself. Caitlin Clark, with her massive following, endorsement deals, and television ratings pull, represents a once-in-a-generation marketing force.
Yet, as critics like Collier, Cunningham, and Hull argue, the league has failed to protect its players and instead positioned its leadership as adversarial. Fans fear that without significant changes, the WNBA could squander the momentum Clark and others have brought.
For Engelbert, the pressure has never been higher. With stars, coaches, and fans aligning in criticism, her leadership is under scrutiny as never before.
Conclusion
From Napheesa Collier’s bombshell revelations to Sophie Cunningham’s blistering rebuke and Lexie Hull’s public show of solidarity, the message to Cathy Engelbert is clear: the WNBA’s players demand respect, protection, and authentic leadership.
Whether the commissioner survives this firestorm or not remains to be seen. But one thing is certain—this moment may prove to be a turning point in the league’s history.
As Cunningham put it bluntly: “She’s the most delusional leader our league has seen.”
And with more stars speaking out, Engelbert may find her job increasingly difficult to defend.
