Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, one of the WNBA’s biggest stars, accused the league of having “the worst leadership in the world” on Tuesday. She did not hold back, calling out Commissioner Cathy Engelbert on everything from officiating to free speech to the amount of money players are paid.
“Whether the league cares about the health of the players is one thing, but to also not care about the product we put on the floor is truly self-sabotage,” Collier said. “Year after year, the only thing that remains consistent is the lack of accountability from our leaders.”
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What did she reveal about her conversations with Engelbert?
Collier spoke during her player exit interview, two days after the Minnesota Lynx were eliminated from the playoffs by the Phoenix Mercury. The five-time all-star relayed a conversation she had with Engelbert in February, when she asked the commissioner about starting salaries for young players Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers. She also asked how the league was going to fix ongoing officiating issues.
“Her response was, well, only the losers complain about the refs,” Collier said. “I also asked how she planned to fix the fact that players like Caitlin, Angel and Paige, who are clearly driving massive revenue for the league, are making so little for their first four years. Her response was Caitlin should be grateful she makes $16 million off the court because without the platform that the WNBA gives her, she wouldn’t make anything. And in that same conversation, she told me, players should be on their knees thanking their lucky stars for the media rights deal that I got them. That’s the mentality driving our league from the top.”
Collier, the league MVP runner-up the past two seasons, is also vice-president of the WNBA players’ union and will sit across the table from league representatives during upcoming CBA negotiations. She is also the co-founder of the offseason 3-on-3 league “Unrivaled,” which will begin its second season on Jan 5.
What did Collier say about the officiating?
The five-time all-star sat out the final two games of the Lynx playoff series with an ankle injury suffered in a collision with a Mercury player during Game 3. No foul was called on the play, which led to a viral postgame press conference from her coach, Cheryl Reeve, who called the officiating “malpractice.” Reeve was ejected for her on-court berating of an official following the play, and suspended from Game 4, where the Lynx faced elimination. Collier said ignoring the ongoing officiating issues is “negligence” on the league’s part.
“Just hearing over and over and over again that we have the best refs in the world. We don’t have a problem.” Collier said. “You know none of the injuries are due to physicality or the way that we’re reffing. It’s an insult to my intelligence, honestly. I’ve played this game for my entire life, and you think that I don’t know what it looks like when it’s played the way it’s supposed to be played?”
Collier’s comments came just hours after the league announced a new multiyear media rights deal with USA Network. The news was not lost on the Lynx star.
“They cry that they don’t have enough money to pay the players, that they don’t have the sustainability to pay the players when they’re selling teams for $300 million when valuations are going up to almost half a billion dollars, like it doesn’t make sense to us.” Collier said. “It’s why we’re fighting so hard in our CBA and what we’re gonna continue to fight for.”
Was there a response from the commissioner?
Engelbert responded to Collier’s comments in a statement, saying she has the utmost respect for Collier and all of the players in the WNBA.
“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,” Engelbert said. “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.”
Collier acknowledged that she will likely be fined for her comments.
“I’m sure that they will fine me,” Collier said. “I mean, it seems like anything with free speech is fined now.”
The league’s collective bargaining agreement with the players’ union expires Oct. 31. If there isn’t a new deal before then, the league could lock out the players until an agreement is reached.
