Image Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
The WNBA had been in the limelight for more than one reason. While the league was getting ready for the WNBA Finals on one end, Minnesota Lynx superstar Napheesa Collier’s explosive exit interview sent the league into a frenzy over the other. Though it’s been quite some time since the controversy, things haven’t actually settled down in the league. Recently, WNBA owners stepped in to share their opinions and while they have also criticized Engelbert’s leadership, their approach varies to Collier’s.
One of the owners in the WNBA talked to ESPN recently and said that what Collier did was not right. “If you fire her now, it’s admitting weakness. It’s a terrible look for the league,” they told ESPN. “I can’t stand what [Collier] did. That was a private conversation. It makes me not want to fire her, even though I think she should be fired.”
Another WNBA owner said that they agree with Collier’s comments suggesting that Engelbert’s approach hasn’t been too clear at times. “I believe Napheesa’s comments… I think sometimes the approach of [Engelbert’s] message hasn’t always been delivered well,” another owner said. “CBA negotiations and other negotiations are always hard, but it might not have been as confrontational, I think, if there was a little bit better dialogue and relationship-building there. And I don’t know at this stage if that’s repairable or not.”
While many players have raised questions about WNBA officiating, there haven’t been many cases in the past where a player publicly voiced their frustration towards the leadership. Collier’s statements have raised multiple questions about the league’s image, player treatment and leadership.
What is the Current State of CBA Negotiations in WNBA?
The disagreements and chaos in the league seem to wind their way back to the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations. Six years to the last CBA agreement that was signed in January 2020, the league and players are expected to sign a new CBA. The deadline will expire on October 21, but it is not absolute as both parties agreed to a 60-day extension.
A WNBA source revealed the current state of CBA negotiations to ESPN and said that things don’t seem to get settled by Halloween. “I don’t think it’s going to be done by Halloween,” they told ESPN. “In the end, a work stoppage doesn’t benefit anybody. I don’t know exactly how far people are off. But generally when I’ve seen these things, usually as it comes closer to crunch time, everybody kind of moves a little bit closer together, and we can get to a deal that’s reasonable enough.”
Both parties have the option to agree on an extension to continue the negotiations. However, if there is no extension, then the WNBA would lock out the players on November 1. The lock out, however, won’t impact the player monetarily since the league has gone into the offseason, it might affect them during this time. Moreover, teams cannot proceed into free agency until a CBA agreement is signed as several rules will affect the process.
Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.
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