WNBA superstar Napheesa Collier has blasted league commissioner Cathy Engelbert for "the worst leadership in the world" in a resounding statement that sent shock waves around the league.
Collier missed the fourth game of her Minnesota Lynx's second-round series against the Phoenix Mercury after she was injured in a collision in game three.
After that incident, Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve had to be held back as she charged at referees and was ultimately suspended for their season-ending 86-81 loss to the Mercury.
And Collier continued the team's apparent fury at the league with an extraordinary 4-minute prepared statement about a perceived lack of accountability in the league's front office.
"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 said.
Collier, a face of the league and runner-up for league MVP for the second season in a row, said the "constant concerns about officiating" were indicative of issues higher up that now "undermine the integrity" of the competition.
"I want to be clear this conversation is not about winning or losing; it's about something much bigger," she said just days after her season ended.
"The real threat to our league isn't money, it isn't ratings or even missed calls or even physical play. It's the lack of accountability from the league office."
She alleged Engelbert made alarming comments in a conversation in February about players' compensation, an unsettled issue for a new collective bargaining agreement between the WNBA Players Association and the league.
Collier wanted to know why star players like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers were making so little money from their four-year rookie contracts — around US$78,000 ($117,976) a season — while "clearly driving massive revenue for the league".
"[Engelbert's] response was: 'Caitlin should be grateful she makes $16 million off the court because without the platform the WNBA gives her, she wouldn't make anything,'" Collier said, with Engelbert's alleged comments running counter to Clark's ability to attract millions in sponsorships while playing for nothing in college.
"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. We go to battle every day to protect a shield that doesn't value us. The league believes it succeeds despite its players, not because of them."
The league office released a response from Engelbert later on Tuesday afternoon.
"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 characterised our conversations and league leadership, but even when our perspectives differ, my commitment to the players and to this work will not waver."
The Lynx star's statement made waves around the sport. Reese shared and liked the video of Collier's exit press conference with the caption: "10/10. No notes."
Two-time league MVP Elena Delle Donne also backed Collier up, saying "The Queen has spoken".
"It's the care for the human part for me," she wrote on social media.
"I'm still not sure if Cathy know I retired. Heard from everyone but her."
Collier's criticisms followed the scathing comments made by coach Reeve after no foul was called on the Mercury's Alyssa Thomas, who stripped the ball from Collier and made a steal, leaving Collier in a moon boot with torn ligaments and a severely sprained ankle.
Despite repeated complaints about officials losing control of games, leading to a higher risk of injury as games become more physical, Collier said she had not received any calls or messages from Engelbert.
"Instead, the only outreach has come from her number two telling my agent that she doesn't believe physical play is contributing to injuries," she said.
"That is infuriating. And it's the perfect example of the tone-deaf, dismissive approach that our leaders always seem to take.
"I've finally grown tired. For too long, I've tried to have these conversations in private, but it's clear there's no intention of accepting there's a problem.
"The league has made it clear it isn't about innovation, it isn't about collaboration, it's about control and power."
Collier has averaged 18.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.2 blocks in 193 regular-season games (all starts) in her career. She is a five-time All-Star in seven seasons, all with Minnesota. She was the WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2019 and first-team All-WNBA in 2023 and 2024.
Reuters/ABC
