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As she took the podium for her end-of-season media availability, Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier dropped a bombshell.
Not only did she throw WNBA commissioner Cath Engelbert under the bus, she also questioned her leadership while describing the league’s handling of officiating complaints as negligent.
“Right now we have the worst leadership in the world,” Collier declared. “… Our leadership’s ability to being held accountable is to suppress everyone’s voices by handing out fines. I’m not concerned about a fine. I’m concerned about the future of our sport.”
Then Collier really made waves when she mentioned the likes of Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, Chicago Sky star Angel Reese, and Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers.
“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,” Collier added.
“Her response was, ‘Caitlin should be grateful she makes $60 million off the court because without the platform the WNBA gives her, she wouldn’t make anything.’”
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Clark’s popularity has helped bring more viewers to the WNBA than ever before.
Her celebrity status helped the league land a lucrative 11-year, $2.2 billion media rights deal, and WNBA teams have had to move their games to larger arenas to accommodate the increased demand to watch Clark and the Fever play.
Engelbert took plenty of heat on social media for her comments, prompting her to release a statement addressing Collier’s scathing remarks.
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“I have the utmost respect for Napheesa Collier and for all the players in the WNBA,” Englebert said in a statement. “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.”
It was reported not long after Collier’s press conference that Engelbert isn’t expected to be retained as commissioner once the new collective bargaining agreement is ratified. However, there’s been no confirmation that report is true.
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