WNBA MVPs Challenge Commissioner Engelbert
Back-to-back WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson has voiced her support for Lynx star Nafisa Collier as the two take aim at Commissioner Kathy Engelbert. Wilson didn’t hold back, calling out Engelbert for what she described as “the world’s worst leadership” and expressing concern over the commissioner’s remarks regarding player values, including notable players like Caitlyn Clark.
“I’ve had the chance to hear from Phee, and I’m honestly tired of Kathy’s comments,” Wilson said after her team’s hard-fought win against the Fever in overtime, securing a spot in the Finals. “It’s important to have strong voices like Phee on the Players Association committee; we need to continue advocating for what we believe in, especially during these CBA negotiations.”
These negotiations are tense, with Collier, a former standout at UConn, adding fuel to the fire. She criticized both Engelbert and her approach towards the league’s collective bargaining agreement.
Collier recounted a meeting where she confronted Engelbert about rookie scale contracts, revealing Engelbert’s jarring remarks during the discussion. “When we spoke about the future of our league, her response was troubling: ‘Only the losers complain about the referees.’ We also pointed out that recent rookies like Clark and Beauker are generating huge revenues for the league, yet their rookie contracts are hardly reflective of that.”
Engelbert’s remarks suggested that players like Clark should feel fortunate for the platform provided to them by the WNBA. She stated, “These players should thank their lucky stars for the media rights deal I secured for them.”
In response to Collier’s allegations, Engelbert released a statement underscoring her respect for all players and reaffirming her commitment to the league. “We all work tirelessly to advance this league,” she said, expressing disappointment over how Collier characterized their discussions.
Collier’s comments have sparked support among fellow players, with endorsements from names like Angel Reese, Diaika Humvee, and Lexie Hull. Wilson, often regarded as one of the WNBA’s leading figures and a repeated MVP, is trying to lead her team, the Aces, to a third championship title as the league prepares for the potential expiration of the CBA on October 31.
