Napheesa Collier, the forward for the Minnesota Lynx, made headlines during her media exit interview on Tuesday by delivering a powerful critique of the WNBA leadership. As a cofounder of Unrivaled and current vice president of the players' union, Collier began her press conference with a strong statement emphasizing the “lack of accountability from the league office.” She remarked, “We have the best players in the world. We have the best fans in the world. But right now we have the worst leadership in the world.”
Collier voiced her frustrations regarding the league's failure to address critical officiating issues despite ongoing discussions about sustainability in collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations. She pointed out that while coaches frequently raise concerns about officiating, the league tends to respond with fines instead of taking meaningful action, which she deemed “negligence.” Recently, the WNBA fined her head coach, Cheryl Reeve, $15,000 following her complaints about officiating after a play where Collier injured her ankle against the Phoenix Mercury, resulting in both women missing Game 4, which led to the Lynx's playoff elimination.
During her press conference, Collier recounted a conversation with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert earlier this year where Engelbert suggested that “only the losers complain about the refs.” Collier also highlighted Engelbert's comments regarding young stars such as Caitlin Clark, who, despite generating significant revenue for the league, was told to be “grateful” for her off-court earnings. Under the current CBA, Clark earned just $78,006 this past season on a four-year contract worth $338,000, which raises concerns about player compensation in the league.
Collier stated, “We go to battle every day to protect a shield for a league that doesn’t value us.” In response to Engelbert's statement about being “disheartened” by Collier’s characterization of their conversations, the commissioner did not directly deny any of Collier’s claims. Engelbert expressed her commitment to the players and the league's future, but Collier's remarks have sparked widespread conversation about the direction of the WNBA.
As the CBA expiration looms at the end of next month, tensions between the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) have escalated, with no clear resolution in sight before the October 31 deadline. Collier shared her experiences during her injury-filled season, noting that while her husband, Unrivaled president Alex Bazzell, reached out to check on injured players, she had not received any communication from Engelbert. “Not one call, not one text,” Collier said, expressing her frustration over the lack of support from league leadership.
In the wake of Collier's remarks, several players have publicly supported her stance. Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham criticized Engelbert's alleged remarks about Clark, calling Engelbert “the most delusional leader our league has seen.” Fever guard Lexie Hull expressed her agreement with Collier, stating that meaningful changes are necessary for the league's future. Former player Elena Delle Donne also shared Collier’s comments, highlighting the importance of caring for players as human beings.
As the conversation continues, the WNBPA released a statement applauding Collier as an “outstanding” leader and urged league officials to listen to her powerful words. The collective sentiment among players indicates a growing desire for change and recognition of their value within the league. As the WNBA navigates its challenges, Collier’s voice stands as a rallying point for players advocating for their rights and future.
