Napheesa Collier suffered a horrific injury after Alyssa Thomas’ steal during the semifinal between the Lynx and the Mercury. However, it wasn’t called a foul. There was a lot of backlash for the officiating, Thomas, and the WNBA commissioner, Cathy Engelbert. Everyone saw Thomas apologizing to Collier. However, fans are still furious with Engelbert, especially after her statement about Caitlin Clark.
In her recent media availability, Collier read out a statement about WNBA leadership, WNBA commissioner, officiating, and Engelbert’s outrageous statement about Caitlin Clark.
Collier started by congratulating the Phoenix Mercury for advancing to the finals. She then pointed out the WNBA’s ‘biggest problem,’ as she questioned the leadership.
“The real threat to our league isn’t money, it isn’t ratings, or even miscalls, or even physical play. It’s the lack of accountability from the league office. Since I’ve been in the league, you’ve heard about the constant concerns about officiating, and it has now reached levels of inconsistency that plagued our sport and undermined the integrity in which it operates,” she said.
Collier continued to question the league’s leadership, suggested they were self-sabotaging, and wondered why the league can’t pay the players what they deserve. She said:
“At Unrivaled this past February, I sat across from Cathy and asked her how she planned to address the officiating issues in our league. Her response was, ‘Well, only losers complain about the refs.’ I also asked how she planned to fix the fact that players like Caitlin, Angel, and Paige, who are clearly driving massive revenue for the league, are making so little in their first four years.”
“Her response was, ‘Caitlin should be grateful she makes $16 million off the court because without the platform that the WNBA gives her, she wouldn’t make anything.’ In that same conversation, she told me players should be on their knees thanking their lucky stars for the media rights deals that I [Cathy] got them,'” Collier added.
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Fans react to Napheesa Collier’s Statement
Fans were shocked by the reveal. Most fans supported Napheesa Collier and praised her for speaking up on the future of the league.
“This may be the only thing that unites Angel and CC stans lol,” one fan commented.
“How can anyone dislike Phee?! She always gives credit where credit is due and cares about more than herself. I love her,” another fan supported Napheesa.
“I’m so glad Phee spoke up. Cathy could truly give a damn about the players,” another said.
“Paige fans, angel fans, Caitlin fans, please unite together just this one time please damn,” one user replied.
“She literally got offered 3 million from the Big 3 to not play her first season in the W. Stop acting like that girl wasn’t hooping in college,” another said about Caitlin Clark.
How will this statement turn out for Napheesa Collier and the WNBA’s future? With fans’ full support, is Cathy Engelbert’s future in jeopardy?
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