Report: WNBA Players Not Happy Being 'Overshadowed' By Caitlin Clark

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert is reportedly in a tough position.

The WNBA is growing in record amounts. The league is posting record-setting ticket sales, merchandise revenue, TV ratings and more. A lot of that can be attributed to Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft.

The players are benefiting, too. The league agreed to a new CBA prior to the start of the 2026 season, with players earning significantly more than they did before. However, not everyone loves that Clark is getting a lot of the credit.

On Wednesday, the Sports Business Journal reported that the commissioner of the league is in an "unenviable" position.

Engelbert's league is benefiting a lot from Clark, though at the same time, players around the league don't want to be "overshadowed" by her.

WNBA players are jealous of Clark's popularity

Engelbert has tried to walk a fine line, but she's not doing a very good job of it.

"A source close to Engelbert said league ref ops and basketball ops personnel commonly make recommendations after potential flagrant foul calls, and that's what happened with the Thomas decision. Other sources close to Engelbert have said she is an unenviable position -- trying not to show favoritism toward the uber-popular Clark while also trying to appease players who believe they've been overshadowed by Clark. The death threats against (Alyssa) Thomas, post-incident, are an example of what other WNBA players are dealing with," the Sports Business Journal reports.

"But critics leaguewide, sources said, believe Engelbert has gone overboard not to prioritize the Fever star, and they point to the fact she has not once attended a Fever game in Indianapolis since Clark arrived three seasons ago."

Clark and the Fever have been playing well as of late, too, as they look like they could be a real force come postseason time.

Copyright The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved