Nearing the end of the 2025 WNBA season, things just got out of control for the league authorities. A missed foul call, that reignited the ‘poor officiating’ demands, and this time it’s quickly catching up with the fans and players alike. Recently, Napheesa Collier criticized Cathy Engelbert for a lack of accountability, which fired up new demands.
After her unexpected speech and criticism, the Lynx forward joked about a potential fine, citing the league’s recent actions and process to deal with complaints.
Napheesa Collier Talks About Potential Fine
Ever since, everyone has been talking about the WNBA’s officiating inconsistency; instead of working on it, the league started fining the complainant. Interestingly, it’s not only about press conferences or media interactions, but the league is keeping an eye on social media activities also, with Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham paying fines for their comments on refereeing.
Amid this, Collier dropped a bomb, taking the criticism to the next level. She even compared the Unrivaled league’s operations with the WNBA’s operations, thrashing the latter in the process. After some serious accusations, the MVP runner-up got into a lighter mode and joked about a potential fine.
“I’m sure that they will fine me. It seems like anything with free speech is fined now,” Collier said.
After coming out and targeting her comments towards Cathy Engelbert and the WNBA, I asked Napheesa Collier if she should be expecting a fine. @FOX9 pic.twitter.com/nLbOoGUfsK
— Ahmad Hicks (@AhmadHicksTV) September 30, 2025
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Cheryl Reeve received $15,000 fine for her criticism of the officiating, which is the highest amount in league history. However, the 28-year-old not only criticized the officiating but also openly discussed the top management, including private matters. This could make the situation worse as the league could take even stricter action against ‘Phee’.
While active and former players showed their support for the Lynx star, here is what the League Commissioner has to say.
Cathy Engelbert Responds To Napheesa Collier’s Comments
The league commissioner was under pressure since the start of the 2025 season. The new CBA talks were going nowhere as the WNBPA remained firm in their demands. Fans at the All-Star game also interrupted the Commissioner’s speech as Englebert had to speak about the CBA during the trophy presentation ceremony. And now, Collier’s words put her in a bad light once again.
“I have the utmost respect for Napheesa Collier and for all the players in the WNBA. Together, we have all worked tirelessly to transform this league. My focus remains on ensuring a bright future for the players and the WNBA, including collaborating on how we continue to elevate the game. I am disheartened by how Napheesa characterized our conversations and league leadership, but even when our perspectives differ, my commitment to the players and to this work will not waver,” the WNBA Commissioner responded.
Now there are final seven games remaining in the 2025 season, with the Aces and Mercury fighting for the title. But before the end of the season, the league needs to find common ground with the players’ association, with other women’s basketball leagues also attracting players and fans’ attention.