"Phee said it all": Caitlin Clark finally addresses Cathy Engelbert allegedly downplaying her $16,000,000 off-court empire 

Caitlin Clark finally addressed WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert's alleged comments on her $16,000,000 off-court earnings. On Tuesday, Napheesa Collier claimed Engelbert believes Clark wouldn't make any money without the league's influence in her career.

Clark, who made a public appearance the same day during the Fever's Game 5 loss to the Aces in the semis, didn't speak about Engelbert's alleged thoughts about her. However, during the Fever's exit interviews on Thursday, Clark opened up and agreed with Collier's statement.

"I have great respect for Phee and I think she made a lot of very valid points. And what people need to understand, we need great leadership at this time," Clark said (via WNBA reporter Madeline Kenney).

"This is straight up the most important moment in this league's history ... been around for 25-plus years, and this is a moment we have to capitalize on ... Phee said it all."

Madeline Kenney

@madkenney

Caitlin Clark on Phee's comment specifically about her: "I have great respect for Phee and I think she made a lot of very valid points. And what people need to understand, we need great leadership at this time. "Phee said it all."

Caitlin Clark revealed that Cathy Engelbert hadn't reached out to her since. She also revealed not hearing about the story Napheesa Collier narrated regarding her conversation with the WNBA commissioner until the Lynx star publicly called out Engelbert.

Scott Agness

@ScottAgness

Caitlin Clark said she had not heard the story about Cathy Engelbert that Napheesa Collier shared publicly. Nor has she heard from Engelbert since.

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Caitlin Clark reflects on NIL deals and their impact on the WNBA

Clark issued an insightful answer when one of the reporters questioned her about Engelbert allegedly devaluing her brand by crediting the WNBA's influence. Clark countered that by crediting women for using the foundation of their brand from college to the league, which is helping the WNBA and not the other way around.

"I think that's probably the way in which the league has changed over the course of the last few years. These kids in what they're making in college these days is insane, and it's probably more than what I was making. ... Young women are beginning to build their brands in college and bringing that to the WNBA."

Caitlin Clark was one of the pioneers of that in women's basketball. Players who are still in college are reaping more benefits than she did when the Fever star earned her initial sponsorships. By the time she entered the league, Clark herself was the biggest brand in women's basketball, which has seen the WNBA explode over the past two years.

There will be more of this with the new generation coming in, and Clark believes that the league's leadership should maximize and embrace it instead of pushing back in CBA negotiations.