WNBA’s CBA Drama Heats Up
In Phoenix, NBA commissioner Adam Silver remarked this week that Cathy Engelbert’s rapport with WNBA players has soured, describing it as having gotten “too personal.”
Forward Sato Sabally of the Phoenix Mercury underscored this sentiment clearly. “It’s personal,” she asserted after practice on Tuesday. “The WNBA wants to limit our earnings, which is frustrating. You’d expect different standards in other leagues.”
Silver’s comments came in the wake of ongoing controversies around the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) overshadowing the WNBA Finals. He expressed confidence that a resolution would be achieved but noted that Engelbert needs to rectify her relationship with the players promptly. “It’s become too personal, and these issues must be addressed,” he stated.
His statements followed criticism from Napheesa Collier, who lambasted the WNBA’s executive team for its lack of accountability, describing it as having “the worst leadership in the world.” Collier recounted an incident from a meeting earlier this year where Engelbert allegedly made negative remarks about players, including Caitlin Clarke.
Engelbert responded with disappointment regarding Collier’s portrayal of their discussions, stating that it didn’t accurately reflect the conversations they had.
During a press conference ahead of Game 1 of the Finals, Engelbert firmly denied that Clark had claimed she should be grateful for her earnings outside the WNBA. She acknowledged Clark as a “transformational player” and defended her comments, saying, “I didn’t say those things.” She avoided delving deep into all the arguments, mentioning it wouldn’t be productive.
After Engelbert’s approximately 20-minute press briefing, reports indicated that Collier decided to cancel a follow-up meeting with her, much to Sabally’s surprise. “Honestly, after that press conference, why would Fee need to attend another meeting?” she remarked. “Kathy said what she said, and she’s clearly still opinionated. Can’t really fault her for that.”
With the current CBA set to expire on October 31, tensions are rising between the WNBA and the players’ association.
This season has witnessed a rising tide of vocalization from players regarding their demands for new contracts, which include requests for higher salaries, more roster spots, better revenue-sharing arrangements, and lower salary caps.
Another major area of dispute involves the league’s intentions to enforce stricter regulations that would limit star players’ ability to join other leagues.
Sabally, hailing from Germany, has openly opposed this prioritization stance. She stated unequivocally that WNBA players should have the freedom to play overseas during the offseason. She further highlighted that such opportunities not only supplement income but also allow athletes to grow when the WNBA is inactive. Sabally pointed to the scarcity of organized resources and training during the offseason as a reason for this necessity.
At the core, financial factors heavily influence Sabally’s stance on allowing players to pursue opportunities abroad or in leagues like Unrivaled or Athletes Unlimited during the offseason. “It’s very personal,” she noted. “We’ve got families to support. This is our job. We can earn significantly more in China, Russia, or Turkey than we do here. So yes, it’s personal. And why shouldn’t it be?”
