LAS VEGAS – While the Phoenix Mercury and Las Vegas Aces hope to continue their hot stretches throughout the WNBA Finals, league Commissioner Cathy Engelbert aimed to extinguish the flames surrounding recent criticism ahead of Friday night’s Aces victory.
Following the season-ending injury of Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier in Game 3 of the semifinals against the Mercury, Collier used her closing media appearance to bash the WNBA for having “the worst leadership in the world.”
Collier went on to say that Engelbert told her in conversation that “players should be on their knees, thanking their lucky stars for the media rights deal that I got them,” as well as other remarks aimed at prioritizing league stability over player needs.
In a press conference less than an hour before tip-off, Engelbert assured reporters that the conversations chronicled between her and Collier were “inaccurate” and that she has the utmost respect for her and the players.
“I think what is most helpful is to focus on is that I have been in touch with Napheesa,” Engelbert said. “We’ve exchanged texts, and we’re talking next week. There’s a lot of emotion and passion going on right now because we’re in collective bargaining, we’re in the WNBA Finals, and so I’ll leave it there.”
At the center of the collective bargaining agreement’s disputes is the inability for owners and players to agree on a mutually beneficial revenue sharing model that would help drastically increase player salaries.
Engelbert, who was appointed by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and league owners to the role in 2019, argued that both sides’ goals are close to mutual but said that the CBA revolves around more than just salary.
“There’s 30 other things that are a part of the CBA,” Engelbert said. “But I realize the No. 1 thing the players are focused on, which is why I have been listening, is increases in salaries and benefits.”
Another item atop the list of player and league concerns is officiating, which hasn’t adapted as quickly as the league has in terms of physicality. Players and coaches have been vocal about their disapproval of the state of game-calling, a voice that materialized in Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve’s loud departure following Collier’s injury.
Fans share the frustration as well, as echoed chants of “ref, you suck!” flooded Michelob Ultra Arena while officials attempted to assess the aggressive play styles of the Mercury roster.
In light of this, Engelbert has petitioned a “state of the game” task force aimed at incorporating player, coach and general manager insights and cooperation into the league’s annual competition committee in hopes that their testimony can move the game forward, not backward.
“We have heard loud and clear that we have not lived up to that immediate alignment and that attention and change is needed to serve the WNBA to the level of excellence that is not currently being met in the various stakeholders’ eyes,” Engelbert said.
“Our game is faster, featuring more talent, and the game is more competitive than ever before. With that evolution, game rules, interpretation and officiating has to keep pace.”
At the same time, player injuries have reached staggering highs with the elevation of physical competition. In both cases, finding where to draw the line between aggressive and rough play is key to ensuring player safety and fair calling.
“We have to determine where players want that line to be.” Engelbert said.
Though Engelbert is confident both sides can come to an agreement, the time frame for it is unclear, and a lockout is not out of the question. But with the growing popularity of women’s basketball across the country, even one day past the deadline could be costly.
“To see young girls now be able to see role models of the WNBA players and attract them to the game. … This is all the important stuff for why we need to get this transformational CBA done as soon as we can,” Engelbert said.
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