WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert responds after Lynx’s Napheesa Collier calls out league leadership
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- Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier delivered scathing criticism of WNBA leadership and commissioner Cathy Engelbert during her team’s season-ending news conference Tuesday.
- Collier rebuked the league’s handling of officiating inconsistencies, player salaries and accountability as the collective bargaining agreement is set to expire soon.
- Engelbert said she was “disheartened” by Collier’s characterization of their conversations but remains committed to elevating the game.
Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier used her team’s end-of-the-season news conference Tuesday to read a lengthy statement that put WNBA leadership, in particular commissioner Cathy Engelbert, on blast as the league’s collective bargaining agreement with its players is set to expire at the end of October.
“A real threat to our league isn’t money, isn’t ratings or even missed calls or even physical play. It’s the lack of accountability from the league office,” said Collier, a senior member of the WNBA Players Assn. executive council.
“Since I’ve been in the league, you’ve heard the constant concern about officiating and it has now reached levels of inconsistency that plague our sport and undermine the integrity in which it operates. Whether the league cares about the health of the players is one thing, but to also not care about the product on the floor is truly self-sabotage.”
Collier injured her ankle when she got tangled with Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas late in the fourth quarter of Game 3 of the teams’ WNBA semifinal series Friday. No foul was called on the play.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert responded to criticism for her comments on fans’ racist and sexist treatment of players like stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.
Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve had to be restrained while confronting game officials after the non-call and later delivered a two-minute rant about the officiating to reporters without taking questions.
Neither Collier nor Reeve was available for the Lynx’s season-ending loss Sunday — Collier because of the injury and Reeve because she was suspended by the WNBA for her “conduct and comments” during and after Game 3.
Also on Tuesday morning, multiple media outlets reported that Reeve had been fined a record $15,000. The WNBA has not announced the fine, which was first reported by the Athletic.
Collier seemed to address those issues and more during her statement Tuesday morning.
As WNBA players and coaches speak out against officiating they view as inconsistent and dangerous, league officiating leaders defend their system.
“The league has a buzzword that they’ve rolled out as talking points for the CBA as to why they can’t give the players what we’re worth. That word is ‘sustainability,’” said Collier, who is a co-founder of the Unrivaled women’s 3-on-3 basketball league.
“But what’s truly unsustainable is keeping a good product on the floor while allowing officials to lose control of games. Fans see it every night. Coaches, both winning and losing, point it out every night in pre-game and postgame media, yet leadership just issues fines and looks the other way. They ignore the issues that everyone inside the game is begging to be fixed. That is negligence.”
Collier then detailed a discussion she says she had with Engelbert in February in which the commissioner allegedly blew off Collier’s concerns about officiating and players’ salaries. In addition, Collier also criticized Engelbert for not reaching out to her while she was dealing with injuries this season.
“Instead, the only outreach has come from her No. 2, telling my agent that she doesn’t believe physical play is contributing to injuries,” Collier said. “That is infuriating, and it’s the perfect example of a tone deaf, dismissive approach that our leaders always seem to take.”
The Sparks are building a $150-million, 55,000-square-foot training and practice facility in El Segundo that is set to open ahead of the 2027 season.
Shortly after Collier finished speaking, Engelbert released a statement through the WNBA.
“I have the utmost respect for Napheesa Collier and for all the players in the WNBA,” Engelbert said. “Together we have all worked tirelessly to transform this league. My focus remains on ensuring a bright future for the players and the WNBA, including collaborating on how we continue to elevate the game. I am disheartened by how Napheesa characterized our conversations and league leadership, but even when our perspectives differ, my commitment to the players and to this work will not waver.”
The WNBA declined to comment further to The Times.
The WNBPA said in a statement: “Napheesa Collier is an outstanding leader and Officer of this Union, When Phee speaks, people listen. We are confident that her words today speak to the feelings and experiences of many, if not most or all of our members. The leaders of the league and its teams would benefit from listening to her powerful statement. The players know their value even if the league does not. They are fighting for their legacy and the future of basketball.”
A number of players showed their support for Collier and the sentiments she expressed. Several took to X, including Sparks star and 11-year WNBA veteran Dearica Hamby, who wrote, “@PHEEsespieces thank you for your bravery!!!!!!!!”
New York Liberty forward Isabelle Harrison wrote, “Standing with Phee.”
”!!!! time is ticking and Phee speaks for me,” WNBPA president and Seattle Storm star Nneka Ogwumike wrote.
Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham wrote of Engelbert on Instagram, “She’s the most delusional leader our league has seen.”
“The Queen has spoken! @napheesa24,” retired two-time league MVP Elena Delle Donne wrote on her Instagram Story. “It’s the care for the human part for me. I’m still not sure if Cathy knows I retired. Heard from everyone but her.”
Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson, who was named league MVP for the fourth time last week, spoke on Collier’s comments Tuesday night after her team defeated the Fever to advance to the WNBA Finals.
“I’m grateful to have those type of people to be able to continue to speak up for us,” Wilson said. “I’m going to ride with Phee always. Obviously, she’s a business girlie and she has her own stuff going on, but moving forward, we’ve gotta continue to stand on business as we talk about this CBA negotiation.”
Reeve addressed reporters Tuesday after her players spoke. Naturally, Collier’s comments came up.
“I’m proud of Phee,” Reeve said, according to USA Today. “Who Phee has become as a player and a person in this league is really important. Her voice is important... I support our player.”
Staff writer Tracy Brown and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
