Kyler Gilliam, Staff Writer<\/p>\n
Sept. 20, 2025 \u2014 The pipe bomb heard around the professional sports world.<\/p>\n
A day after being eliminated from the 2025 WNBA playoffs, All-WNBA forward Napheesa Collier went in front of the media. She donned a walking boot on her foot from an injury she suffered during crunch-time play, where a possible foul call would\u2019ve protected her the night before.<\/p>\n
Collier eviscerated the current WNBA leadership for four minutes and 19 seconds, mainly discussing WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert and the issues of fair pay, officiating, player safety and accountability from the League office.<\/p>\n
Her comments about Engelbert were the most scathing, revealing a private conversation they shared in February at an event for Unrivaled, a basketball league co-founded by Collier. Engelbert allegedly stated players should \u201cbe on their knees\u201d because of their new media rights deal.<\/p>\n
Engelbert also said players such as Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, who are creating interest for the league due to their popularity in college, should be \u201cthankful\u201d the WNBA gives them a platform to further monetize themselves, according to Collier.<\/p>\n
Clark and Reese drew 2.7 million viewers during their regular-season matchup on May 17, the WNBA\u2019s largest total view count in the past 25 years. Clark was also responsible for 26.5% of all WNBA economic activity during the 2024 season, amounting to almost $900 million, according to Yahoo Sports<\/a>.<\/p>\n Engelbert allegedly disregarded Collier\u2019s attempt to highlight the deficiencies with officiating, saying only \u201closers\u201d complain about officials.\u00a0<\/p>\n Many current players, such as four-time MVP A\u2019ja Wilson, Sophie Cunningham, alongside Clark and Reese, agree with Collier\u2019s comments and have exposed the distrust between the players and league leadership.<\/p>\n