On Sept. 30, Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier publicly challenged WNBA leadership \u2014\u00a0specifically, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert \u2014 in a direct exit-interview statement.<\/p>\n
Read more: Sparks’ Rickea Jackson Talks Mindset Playing Through Injury, Calls Out Opponents<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n “We have the best players in the world. We have the best fans in the world, but right now we have the worst leadership in the world,”\u00a0Collier said<\/a>. “If I didn’t know exactly what the job entailed, maybe I wouldn’t feel this way, but unfortunately for them, I do.<\/p>\n “This conversation is not about winning or losing. It’s about something much bigger. The real threat to our league isn’t money, it isn’t ratings, or even missed calls or physical play. It’s the lack of accountability from the league office,”\u00a0she added<\/a>.<\/p>\n @PHEEsespieces<\/a> \ud83d\udc8e thank you for your bravery!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n \u2014 Dearica Marie Hamby (@dearicamarie) September 30, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Los Angeles Sparks’ star forward Dearica Hamby, among other current WNBA players, have recently spoken out in support of Collier over recent weeks.<\/p>\n “Thank you for your bravery!!!!!!!!”\u00a0Hamby wrote to Collier on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n Furthermore, in a Oct. 9 story by ESPN’s Katie Barnes<\/a>, various other league stars \u2014\u00a0headlined by Sparks’ guard Kelsey Plum \u2014\u00a0spoke on their respective relationships with Engelbert.<\/p>\n “It’s not just what she says but how she says it,” Plum said<\/a>.<\/p>\n Kelsey Plum, in her first season in LA, led the Sparks to their highest single-season win total since 2019.<\/p>\n 2025 \u2014 21-23 \u201cWe\u2019ll be back \u2026[the culture] is changing,\u201d she said postgame on Thursday.https:\/\/t.co\/AU3pe4EXNY<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ben Geffner (@BenGeffner) September 12, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n In addition, Plum spoke at length on feelings surrounding new WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations.<\/p>\n Read more: Former Sparks Guard Signed By Fever Amid Caitlin Clark’s Absence<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n “We can all win this, and that frustration has been boiling,” Plum said<\/a>. “This isn’t [Cathy] or [the PA], it’s both of us winning and upping our levels. The conversation has been combative and that’s upping the frustration.”<\/p>\n Plum, in her first season with L.A., averaged over 19 points, three rebounds and five assists per contest \u2014\u00a0guiding the purple and gold to 21-23 in 2025, a strong improvement from the Sparks’ 8-32 record in 2024.<\/p>\n Latest Sparks News:<\/p>\n For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Sparks, visit Los Angeles Sparks on SI.<\/a><\/p>\n
\u201824 \u2014 8-32
\u201823 \u2014 17-23
\u201822 \u2014 13-23
\u201821 \u2014 12-20
\u201820 \u2014 15-7<\/p>\n