Napheesa Collier had hoped to be with her Minnesota Lynx teammates, prepping for Game 5 against the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA semifinals. Instead, the team’s season ended with a loss in Game 4. As Collier sat sidelined in a walking boot, head coach Cheryl Reeve faced a suspension. Both were repercussions from a dramatic Game 3 finish.
On Tuesday, instead of gearing up for a game, Collier shifted her focus to a critical issue—the ongoing conflict between the WNBA and the Players Association. She expressed her concerns in a powerful statement: “We have the best players in the world, the best fans, but the worst leadership.” Her words highlighted a brewing tension that many feel is stifling the league’s potential.
Collier didn’t hold back in criticizing WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, describing her as dismissive and condescending. In a February meeting, Engelbert suggested that top player Caitlin Clark was fortunate to earn $16 million off the court due to the WNBA platform and implied players should be grateful for the existing media rights deal. Engelbert later reacted to Collier’s comments, expressing disappointment at the way their conversations were characterized.
Critics have focused on Engelbert, but it’s important to remember that the NBA holds significant power over the WNBA. Even though Engelbert leads the WNBA, most of its teams are tied to NBA ownership, which influences every major decision. Currently, approximately 60% of WNBA franchises are owned by NBA owners, further amplifying the NBA’s control. Engelbert’s responsibilities, in many ways, align more with NBA interests than those of the players.
For years, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has publicly lamented the WNBA’s popularity and profitability, often failing to allocate resources that could help elevate the league. During tight negotiations, like those seen last year, frustrations from NBA owners about the WNBA’s financial state have resurfaced in the media, undermining the league’s achievements and morale.
Collier has aptly pointed out that terms like “sustainability” and notions of gratitude are often weaponized against female athletes in discussions about pay and resources. A similar dynamic was seen in the National Women’s Soccer League, where players faced systemic issues and silence around abusive cultures. While no such environment is reported in the WNBA, the pattern of discouraging players from demanding what’s fair feels familiar.
Yet, the WNBA’s landscape is changing. A $2.2 billion media rights deal set to take effect next season signals a shift, along with broken attendance records, higher ratings, and soaring team valuations. Collier’s remarks reflect an awareness of this new reality. She noted, “The league has made it clear it isn’t about innovation; it’s about control.” This indicates a fight for recognition of both players and fans, pushing for a future where the league can thrive independently.
As the WNBA grows, the intertwining of NBA and WNBA interests continues, raising concerns about whether this merger of powers is truly beneficial for the future of women’s basketball. Collier’s recent statement is an important wake-up call, emphasizing that players are ready to assert their power and challenge the structures that have held them back for too long.
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WNBA,Napheesa Collier
