WNBA fans were looking forward to this week’s meeting between WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and Minnesota Lynx superstar Napheesa Collier, hoping that the two can hash out their differences as the clock continues to tick on the league’s CBA.
Phee, the WNBA Players Association vice president and a key figure of the players’ union, destroyed the league’s top official with a four-minute scorched-earth speech during her exit interview last week. Engelbert took three days to reply, but in her annual pre-Finals press conference, she stated that Collier agreed to meet with her next week to resolve the issue. That meeting is now off, according to a report from ESPN.
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“Collier had previously texted Engelbert that she was open to meeting with her next week to discuss the criticism of Engelbert and the league at her news conference Tuesday. But Engelbert’s assertion at a Friday news conference that Collier’s depiction of a private conversation between them was filled with inaccuracies has pretty much pushed the relationship beyond repair,” as one source put it, wrote Kendraa Andrews and Ramona Shelburne.
Cathy denied making the Caitlin statement
While Engelbert acknowledged shortcomings in her tenure as league Commissioner, she said that her administration respects every player in the association, as they are at the heart of what they do. And if some of them feel that the league office has not done enough to make them feel valued, Cathy said they have to “do better.”
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She also addressed the issue of officiating, stating that the league is creating a multi-stakeholder task force to investigate player and coach complaints and discuss them in the proper forum, allowing for effective resolution. However, when she was asked about whether she said that Caitlin Clark would make nothing without the WNBA’s platform, Engelbert strongly denied saying that to Collier.
“Obviously, I didn’t make those comments,” Engelbert said. “There is a lot of inaccuracy out there through social media and all this reporting. I think what’s most helpful is that I’ve been in touch with Napheesa, we’ve exchanged texts, we’re talking next week, and I think there’s a lot of inaccuracy about what’s been reported, what I said or didn’t say.”
And so tensions continue in the WNBA
Apparently, Napheesa didn’t like what Cathy said because she essentially said that the former was lying. And that’s why, after previously confirming to the WNBA Commissioner last week that she was willing to meet and talk in person, Phee is calling it off. A league representative, however, told ESPN that Collier has not yet notified Engelbert that she will not be attending their meeting. But if you know, you know.
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Napheesa absolutely blasted Cathy during her exit interview, calling her tenure as WNBA commissioner the “worst leadership in the world.” At the heart of her criticism was the league’s lack of accountability, amid overwhelming complaints from players and coaches about how the games are being officiated.
However, aside from undermining Engelbert’s leadership, Collier also portrayed her as a Commissioner who does not care about the players by revealing details of a personal conversation they had earlier this year.
Many players have expressed their support for Phee, saying they absolutely agree with what she voiced out. Most recently, Caitlin spoke about the issue, saying Napheesa “said it all” and made “many valid points” in her statement. Clark also said Engelbert has not reached out to her after Collier’s revelation. Meanwhile, it remains to be seen what the next move is for the embattled Commissioner.
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This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Oct 6, 2025, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
