Frustration and distrust with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has created a cavernous divide between the league and its players as the two sides navigate through collective bargaining agreement negotiations. Earlier this week, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver shared his outlook on the WNBA’s CBA negotiations.
Many fans of the WNBA suspected that it was an uneasy relationship between the players and commissioner Engelbert. Lynx star Napheesa Collier’s blistering criticism of the league’s leadership and of Engelbert’s misguided view of the league’s star players, such as Caitlin Clark, further opened eyes on the nature of the relationship between the WNBA and its stars.
“There’s no question that the WNBA is going through growing pains, and it’s unfortunate that it’s coming just as their most important games and their Finals are on right now,” Silver said Monday.
“We’ve had two fantastic games so far, and we want to celebrate the game at the moment, and then we’ve got to sit down with the players and negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement.
Engelbert has similarly said that a new deal will get done, albeit not necessarily by the Oct. 31 deadline. The relationships between Engelbert and leadership of the WNBA Players Association remain strained.
Advertisement
Collier, who is vice president of the WNBA Players Association, reportedly canceled a meeting with commissioner Engelbert this week after Engelbert denied having made the comments on Caitlin Clark that Collier alleged Engelbert made last spring.
Understanding the discontent expressed by the WNBA Players Association, Silver praised Engelbert’s economic leadership, but also emphasized her need to repair the fractured relationships with the league’s athletes.
“Cathy Engelbert has presided over historic growth in the league but there’s no question that there’s issues that we need to address with our players, not just economic,” Silver said.
“There’s relationship issues as well. I’m confident we can fix those over time and this league can continue to be on the rocket trajectory that it’s on right now.
“We will get a deal done with the players. Lots of work left to be done, but we’ll of course get a new collective bargaining agreement.”
Although it remains to be seen whether the WNBA and the WNBA Players Association can mend their relationship in time to avoid a potential lockout, the leadership at the NBA level is well aware of the situation moving forward.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
Advertisement
This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: NBA Commissioner believes new WNBA CBA will get done
