Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier has reportedly cancelled her meeting with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert. On Friday, Engelbert talked to the media and addressed the criticism of the league’s leadership by several players. She also said that she would begin mending the strained relationships with Collier and other players. However, within 24 hours, the Lynx star said that there won’t be any meeting with Engelbert.
Notably, after the Minnesota Lynx’s disappointing loss in the semifinals, Collier called out Engelbert for her poor leadership. She also claimed that Engelbert was “the wrong woman to be WNBA commissioner.” However, the 60-year-old addressed the media before Game 1 of the 2025 WNBA Finals and said that she would meet Collier soon to rectify the strained relationship between the players and WNBA leadership.
However, according to reports by ESPN, Napheesa Collier canceled the meeting conveying that Engelbert’s remarks “pretty much pushed the relationship beyond repair.” Engelbert denied making any comments about Caitlin Clark, indirectly labelling the 29-year-old a liar. “I did not make those comments,” she said. “There’s a lot of inaccuracy out there through social media and all of this reporting. I highly respect the players. There’s a lot of emotion and passion right now during collective bargaining. I am obviously disheartened.”
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunniungham called out Cathy Engelbert for her remarks she made in front of the media. Engelbert said that she needed to do better if the league players aren’t feeling respected. However, it seems that players including Cunningham aren’t ready to buy her statement. In her podcast, Show Me Something, she said, “I think this is just such a pivotal point for the WNBA.”
“Because there are so many eyes on us. There are so many new fans. There are millions and millions, I should say, new fans. And at the end of the day, she’s worried about her. All her statements start with I… ‘Oh, I got us here, I…’ Cathy, no one cares. Literally, no one cares.”
Collier cancelling her meeting and Cunningham going all out on her statements suggest that all players are fed up with the league’s behavior. It is to be seen how the leadership now tackles the situation and what is their way going ahead.
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