With the WNBA season nearing its end, the competition is now off the court. And this one is between the players’ union and the league. A constructive discussion turned competitive after Napheesa Collier openly criticized Cathy Engelbert over accountability in her press conference.
The basketball star’s allegations were fierce, while the response from the league or the WNBA commissioner in particular was mild. The Lynx forward first texted Engelbert about meeting her, but later cancelled it.
Napheesa Collier Cancels Meeting With Cathy Engelbert
The CBA negotiations are yet to reach their conclusion, and there is already a massive gap between players and the league. WNBA stars wore ‘Pay Us What You Owe Us’ T-shirts to show their intent during the All-Star game, and things got worse when the 28-year-old Lynx forward denounced Cathy Engelbert in her press conference.
The WNBA Commissioner chose not to respond fiercely and close the topic behind closed doors, although Engelbert denied making comments on Caitlin Clark when addressing fans at the WNBA finals.
BREAKING: Napheesa Collier has cancelled her meeting with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, per @kendra__andrews and @ramonashelburne.
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) October 4, 2025
Engelbert's press conference Friday “pushed the relationship beyond repair.” pic.twitter.com/AmMAW2Lj5O
Now, as per a report from ESPN, Collier had previously texted the executive that she was open to meeting with her to discuss the points she made in her press conference. But now she will not meet on the planned date. A league spokesperson mentioned that Collier has not confirmed her cancellation either.
Scroll to continue reading
Trending WNBA News
The date to finalize the CBA is October 31, and if the topic gets dragged constantly, it will be difficult for the league and players to find a middle ground.
ESPN Analyst Blames Cathy Engelbert For Avoiding Tough Conversations
The WNBA Commissioner is the connection point for the players and league to act upon decisions and negotiations. Even before the start of the 2025 season, many players started talking about the CBA as a priority for the season, but the league dragged the topic till the end of the season, with only a few points sorted in the discussions held.
An ESPN Analyst, Cheney Ogwumike, who is the sister of WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike, blamed the League commissioner for this delay, and the issue she highlighted was a ‘communication gap’.
“[Engelbert] said ‘[I’ve] never shied away from tough situations.’ But unfortunately, the reality is she’s shied away from tough conversations, which is a negotiation. “In order to have a negotiation, you have to have conversations. And I think it’s apparent, abundantly clear, that there has been a great divide between the players and our commissioner, or the league office, in order to have productive conversations. And now, Napheesa’s statement… is accountability,” Chiney Ogwumike said.
The relations between the league commissioner and players, at least Collier, seem to have reached an irreparable level, which is not a good sign for the WNBA, and might need to take a harsh decision to rescue the league.