In a move that has sent shockwaves through both the NBA and WNBA communities, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has reportedly sent an urgent message to WNBA superstars Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier, A’ja Wilson, and several other key players amid growing tensions surrounding the league’s upcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations.

According to multiple league insiders, Silver has taken an unusually direct approach — bypassing WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to communicate with the players themselves. His message was clear: “The future of women’s basketball depends on unity, professionalism, and clear-headed leadership — from both the front office and the athletes.”

Sources close to the situation say the note was both a warning and a plea. Silver expressed concern that fractures between players, league officials, and the commissioner’s office could derail the league’s progress just as it was beginning to capitalize on historic momentum, largely thanks to breakout stars like Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, Angel Reese, and others.

The timing of Silver’s outreach couldn’t be more critical. The WNBA’s CBA is set to expire after the 2025 season, and negotiations are already heating up behind closed doors. Players have voiced frustration over issues including pay structure, travel conditions, and leadership accountability, while owners have grown increasingly nervous about media controversies and inconsistent attendance.

One insider described Silver’s intervention as “a wake-up call” for both sides.

“Adam is trying to prevent a disaster,” the source told The Athletic. “He’s seen the WNBA take incredible strides this year with Caitlin Clark’s popularity, but he also sees the chaos — players feuding, executives scrambling, leadership questioned. He’s telling everyone to calm down and protect the league’s future.”

In his message, Silver reportedly praised Caitlin Clark directly, calling her “a generational figure who has brought unprecedented visibility to the league,” but also cautioned her — and others — about becoming too entangled in off-court narratives. He emphasized that “growth brings pressure, scrutiny, and distractions,” and that how the league’s stars handle that spotlight will shape how women’s basketball is perceived for the next decade.

Clark, who has largely stayed above the drama plaguing the WNBA this season, has become the face of the sport both on and off the court. But even she hasn’t been immune to tension — from heated rivalries with A’ja Wilson and Angel Reese to being used as a political lightning rod in league debates. Silver’s outreach to her is being seen as both a gesture of support and a reminder of her role as the sport’s standard-bearer.

Meanwhile, Napheesa Collier, who recently made headlines for publicly criticizing Commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s leadership, was reportedly “taken aback” by Silver’s involvement. According to one source close to the Minnesota Lynx star, Collier interpreted Silver’s message as “a call for accountability” on both ends — not just from Engelbert, but from players who have been fueling tension online.

“Napheesa respects Adam,” the source explained. “But she also feels players have the right to speak out when leadership isn’t listening. His message was respectful, but it definitely carried authority — like, ‘Hey, enough infighting. Get it together.’”

The message also reportedly referenced the “long-term business sustainability” of the WNBA — a phrase Silver has used in the past when addressing concerns about financial transparency and league operations. Attendance for non-Fever games has struggled, and Finals ticket prices dropping as low as $5 became a viral embarrassment for a league claiming record growth.

Silver’s behind-the-scenes involvement underscores how seriously the NBA is taking the situation. The WNBA, while independently branded, is still heavily supported and partially overseen by the NBA. A collapse in CBA negotiations or another public controversy could jeopardize future sponsorships and broadcast deals — particularly those involving ESPN and Amazon, both of which have reportedly grown weary of the league’s volatile image.

For Silver, who has built a reputation as a diplomatic and visionary leader, this kind of intervention is rare. In fact, insiders say it’s the first time he’s addressed multiple WNBA players directly in this manner. His tone, according to one who saw the message, was “firm but empathetic” — acknowledging the players’ passion but urging them to remember the bigger picture.

“Emotion and authenticity are what make this league great,” Silver reportedly wrote, “but we can’t let emotion cloud professionalism. The women’s game is on the verge of something massive — but only if we protect it.”

The reaction among players has been mixed. Some reportedly appreciated Silver’s involvement, viewing it as a sign that the NBA genuinely cares about the WNBA’s future. Others felt uneasy that he seemed to be stepping into Engelbert’s role — potentially signaling a lack of confidence in her leadership.

Several anonymous team executives echoed that sentiment. One told Sports Illustrated,

“If Adam’s talking directly to players, that’s not a good sign for Cathy Engelbert. It means the NBA doesn’t trust her to keep things under control.”

Indeed, Engelbert’s recent months have been marred by controversy — from player backlash over her dismissive comments about Clark’s endorsements to fan outrage over officiating inconsistencies and public feuds. Many believe the commissioner has lost the locker room and the fanbase simultaneously, a dangerous combination heading into CBA season.

Meanwhile, fans have been vocal on social media, praising Silver for “doing Cathy’s job for her.” The hashtag #ThankYouAdamSilver trended briefly on X (formerly Twitter), with fans urging the NBA commissioner to “take over the WNBA before it collapses.” Others, however, criticized the move as “paternalistic,” arguing that women’s basketball needs empowered internal leadership, not oversight from the NBA’s top executive.

Still, Silver’s timing couldn’t be more strategic. With the WNBA Finals suffering from poor attendance and lukewarm TV ratings despite the league’s biggest marketing push in years, the message from the top is simple: the focus must return to basketball — not politics, not rivalries, not off-court chaos.

Caitlin Clark, for her part, has remained poised. When asked about Silver’s message during a promotional event for Nike, she responded calmly:

“I think everyone just wants the same thing — to make this game bigger and better. That’s what I’m focused on.”

Her answer, brief but measured, exemplifies exactly the type of composure Silver is urging the league to adopt.

As the WNBA enters what could be the most consequential year in its history, the relationship between players, leadership, and the NBA will determine its trajectory. With the CBA clock ticking and public trust wavering, Silver’s message may have come just in time — or, as some fear, just a little too late.

Either way, one thing is clear: Adam Silver is watching closely, and he’s no longer staying silent. The future of women’s basketball — and the league built to carry it — now depends on whether Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier, and the rest of the WNBA’s stars can heed his warning and unite before it’s too late.