Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham has taken another savage swipe at Cathy Engelbert as pressure continues to pile on the WNBA commissioner.
Engelbert has faced a barrage of criticism over her leadership in recent days, most notably by Napheesa Collier.
Minnesota Lynx star Collier launched a blistering attack on Engelbert earlier this week, claiming the WNBA has ‘the worst leadership in the world.’
Cunningham has become one of the most outspoken figures in the league, especially since joining Caitlin Clark on the Fever.
Earlier this week, she jokingly set up a GoFundMe page to help pay the fines the WNBA gave her throughout the season.
She also took a pop at Engelbert during her exit interview and then again on the latest episode of her podcast, ‘Show Me Something.’
Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham has taken another savage swipe at Cathy Engelbert
WNBA commissioner Engelbert fired back at the blistering criticism of her leadership
‘Everyone’s fed up – fed up with how the league is treating us,’ the Indiana Fever star said
‘At the end of the day, everyone’s fed up – fed up with how the league is treating us,’ Cunningham said.
‘They should be ashamed of themselves for what they’re giving back to us because it’s nothing. It is nothing. They’re not listening. The thing is, they’re not even engaging with us. It is bad.’
Cunningham also accused Engelbert of lacking the qualities of a ‘great leader’ and showing a ‘crazy’ level of disrespect to her players.
‘Great leaders want to see other people be more successful than them, they want to make sure that they’re cared for,’ Cunningham said.
‘And I get it, she’s the business side of it. Like, I get it. But you can be respectful and treat your product – the product of why people are paying attention, why people are buying certain jerseys – with respect.
‘Be a great leader – she’s not, she’s not in any sense. The disrespect is just crazy to me… this is just such a pivotal point in the WNBA.
‘Because there’s so many eyes on us, there’s so many new fans – there’s millions of new fans – and at the end of the day she’s worried about her. In all of her statements it’s like: “Well, I got us here and I…,” Cathy no one cares. Literally, no one cares.’
Earlier this week, the Indian Fever star claimed she was ‘tired’ of the league, insisting leadership needs ‘to step up and be better’.
All-Star forward Napheesa Collier thinks the WNBA has the ‘worst leadership in the world’
Collier claims that Engelbert suggested that Caitlin Clark should be ‘grateful’ for her platform
‘Our leadership from top to bottom needs to be held accountable,’ Cunningham said. ‘I think there are a lot of people in positions of power in the WNBA who – they might be really great business people – but they don’t know s*** about basketball. And that has to change.’
Ahead of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Friday, Engelbert addressed for the first time the scathing accusations levied against her by Collier.
Despite admitting that she was ‘disheartened’ by the player’s sentiments, Engelbert denied claims that she made belittling remarks about Clark.
‘Obviously I did not make those comments,’ the 60-year-old said. ‘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.
‘[I’m] proud of what she’s put on the court. Unfortunately, the injuries held her back from a full season this year.’
Collier had claimed that Engelbert suggested that Clark should be ‘grateful’ for the platform provided to her by the league when she raised concerns over rookie contracts to the commissioner.
‘I also asked how she planned to fix the fact that players like Caitlin [Clark], Angel [Reese], and Paige [Bueckers], who are clearly driving massive revenue for the league, are making so little for their first four years,’ Collier recalled.
‘Her response was, “Caitlin should be grateful she makes $60million off the court, because without the platform that the WNBA gives her, she wouldn’t make anything.”‘
Angel Reese took aim at WNBA chiefs after celebrating her recent ‘six-figure’ payday
Angel Reese, meanwhile, revealed on Friday that she had made ‘six-figures plus’ from her ‘Mebounds’ merchandise.
The term, which is derived from being selfish as a rebounder, is a clapback from Reese to some of her online haters who believe her best skill in the WNBA comes from her prioritizing herself and not the entire Chicago Sky roster.
Reese filed a trademark for the phrase in her home state of Maryland back in June and covers any tee shirts, sweatshirts, and hats with the name ‘Mebounds’ on it.
She then released her first pair of shoes with Reebok which are named the ‘Angel Reese 1s’ – though fans have commonly referred to them as the ‘Mebounds’.
Revealing the success of her trademark and merchandise, Reese took her show – ‘Unapologetically Angel – to clap back at her naysayers.
She declared: ‘If you know, you know. They tried to clown me for rebounds and what did I do? I made a bag off of it. Six figures plus.
‘So, y’all can try again because I do need another idea for some more colorways. So, just keep it coming.’
