Throughout her WNBA career, Minnesota Lynx star forward Napheesa Collier hasn’t been known as a vocal, emotional player on the court. She has always provided a steady, calm presence over the course of her seven yeras in the league.
But that doesn’t mean she can’t make an impact, both on and off the court. And during one of the most pivotal times in WNBA history, Collier is speaking up, making the statement and leading the charge among players.
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Making a Statement
You are all aware by now of the comments Collier made during Minnesota’s exit interviews two days after the Lynx’s season game to a close against Phoenix in the semifinals round of the WNBA Playoffs.
Collier prepared a statement to open up her final media appearance of the WNBA season, stating the league has “the worst leadership in the world” while calling out the “lack of accountability from the league office.”
Collier also cited private conversations her and WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert where Collier claims Engelbert said “only losers complain about the refs” when discussing improvements to officiating and that “players should be on their knees thanking their lucky stars for the media rights deal I got them.”
Shortly after, Engelbert released a statement saying in part that she was “disheartened” by Collier’s comments, then announcing she would address the media for the first time before Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between Las Vegas and Phoenix on Oct. 3.
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During that press conference, Engelbert denied the comments Collier claimed she made, adding there are “a lot of inaccuracy out there” regarding the situation. Engelbert also noted that “if the players in the W don’t feel appreciated and valued by the league, then we have to do better, and I have to do better.”
While fielding questions from reporters after her prepared statement prior to Game 1 of the Finals, the WNBA Commissioner stated she had a meeting scheduled with Collier in the coming week and admitted there is room for improvement when it comes to her relationship with players in the league.
Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images
However, days later, Collier doubled down. The Lynx star and co-founder of Unrivaled — where she has gotten a first-hand look at the leadership side of a league — canceled that scheduled meeting with Engelbert. According to ESPN, Engelbert’s comments prior to Game 1 of the Finals “pretty much pushed the relationship beyond repair” for Collier and the Commissioner.
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Collier not only made the statement she did — one where very specific and direct claims were made and private conversations had were brought into public light — but she is standing strong behind it. She has put her foot down, and it’s clear she is not backing down.
Leading a Movement At Key Time
Since Collier’s comments during that exit interview about a week ago, it has started a movement throughout the WNBA and even around the entire sports world.
Numerous players have spoken up and supported Collier’s comments, notably stars such as Las Vegas’ A’ja Wilson, Indiana’s Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham, Dallas’ Paige Bueckers, Chicago’s Angel Reese and countless other players.
Clark stated that “Phee said it all,” while Wilson said “I’m very appreciative that we have people like Phee in our committee of our players association representing us.” Cunningham took it up a notch on her Show Me Something Podcast, saying Engelbert should “go ahead and pack for Cabo, because you should not be sitting in that seat” if she indeed made the comments Collier stated Engelbert did about Clark.
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On top of the players joining forces in speaking out — and it’s worth noting the caliber of players who are speaking out, a majority of which are the biggest names in the league or are key names leading the players’ union — the media has also provided a spotlight on this situation. ESPN, one of the WNBA’s biggest media partners, has had numerous talk shows and analysts speak out and show support of Collier’s comments, including Stephen A. Smith who said Engelbert “needs to resign.”
The players and even coaches are uniting, and they are making it very clear they are not backing down. All of this comes at a very important time — maybe the most important time in league history — with Collective Bargaining Agreement talks continuing to take place prior to the Oct. 31 deadline that Engelbert admitted an extension might be needed between the league and the WNBA Players Association.
And leading the way? Napheesa Collier, who has finally had enough to keep her thoughts tucked away.
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Collier isn’t a player that speaks up often, especially when it comes to her play on the court — she lets her play do the talking. But right now, not speaking up won’t cut it. And she is making one hell of a statement while leading the charge in uniting the WNBA in a very important time in league history.
