With the WNBA staring down a possible lockout next season, players like Napheesa Collier, who is vice president of the WNBA Player’s Association, are approaching the offseason with a sense of urgency — and frustration.
Collier, 29, used her exit interview on Tuesday, September 30, after her Minnesota Lynx lost to the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA semifinals to call out commissioner Cathy Engelbert for what she sees as her shortcomings.
“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,” she said. “If I didn’t know exactly what the job entailed, maybe I wouldn’t feel this way, but unfortunately for them, I do. We serve a league that has shown they think championship coaches and Hall of Fame players are dispensable, and that’s fine. It’s professional sports, but I will not stand quietly by and allow different standards to be applied at the league level.”
It’s extremely rare for a player to be so pointed in their criticism, but Collier’s statement comes amid an officiating controversy, stalled collective bargaining negotiations and, allegedly, seemingly tone-deaf comments from the commissioner.
Keep scrolling for everything to know about the WNBA drama between the players and league office.
What Led to Napheesa Collier’s Statement?
Collier read her statement during her exit interview after the Lynx fell to the Mercury in four games. At the end of Game 3, which Minnesota lost, Phoenix’ Alyssa Thomas stole the ball from her and scored on a breakaway. The collision resulted in an ankle injury, but Thomas was not called for a foul. Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve raced onto the court to confront the officials and was promptly ejected.
“If this is what the league wants, OK, but I want to call for a change in leadership at the league level when it comes to officiating,” Reeve said after the game. “The officiating crew that we had tonight, for the leadership to deem these people semifinal-playoff worthy, it’s f***ing malpractice.”
The Lynx lost the next game, in which Reeve sat out with a suspension and Collier sat out with her injury, ending their season.
At the same time, the WNBPA has been vocal about its frustration in ongoing CBA negotiations, publicly insisting the league does not understand the value that the players are bringing to them. WNBA players even wore shirts that read “Pay Us What You Owe Us” during warmups at the 2025 All-Star Game.
Collier’s statement was a culmination of everything that has been building up during the negotiations and a season in which coaches around the league have criticized what they see as a growing officiating crisis.
What Did Naphesa Collier Accuse WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert of Saying?
In her statement, Collier brought up a conversation she claimed she had with Engelbert during Unrivaled’s inaugural season in early 2025.
“This past February, I sat across from [Engelbert] and asked how she planned to address the officiating issues in our league,” Collier said. “Her response was, ‘Well, only the losers complain about the refs.’ I also asked how she planned to fix the fact that players like [Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers] … are clearly driving massive revenue for the league and are making so little for their first four years.”
“Her response was, ‘[Clark] should be grateful. She makes $16 million off the court because without the platform that the WNBA gives her, she wouldn’t make anything,’” Collier alleged. “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.’”
Has Cathy Engelbert Responded?
Engelbert released a statement of her own in which she did not deny saying what Collier alleged but said that the All-Star mischaracterized their conversation.
“My focus remains on ensuring a bright future for the players and the WNBA, including collaborating on how we continue to elevate the game,” the statement read. “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.”
What Are Other Players Saying?
Since Collier’s comments, numerous WNBA players have spoken up in support of her, either in interviews or via social media.
“I think I agree with everything [Collier] said,” the Indiana Fever’s Lexie Hull told reporters on September 30. “We’re at a really important time in the league and changes need to be made, and so you’re seeing her talk about that, and really proud of her for making that statement today.”
The rookie Bueckers posted a photo of her and Collier via her Instagram story captioned “Queen Phee” to show her support.
“10/10. No notes!” Reese added via X.
After initially not commenting, Clark shared her thoughts during the Fever’s exit interviews on Thursday, October 2.
“I have great respect for Phee, and I think she made a lot of very valid points,” she told reporters. “I think what people need to understand, we need great leadership in this time across all levels. This is straight-up the most important moment in this league’s history. … This is a moment we have to capitalize on.”
“!!!! time is ticking and Phee speaks for me,” WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike said via X.
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