Minnesota Lynx star forward Napheesa Collier attacked the WNBA’s leadership and WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert in her Tuesday exit interview.
Collier, who serves as vice president of the WNBA Players Association, accused Engelbert of being “negligent” in her governance. Collier also shared an alleged conversation she had with Engelbert from last February that represents a disturbing lack of appreciation and understanding of what young stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers mean to the league.
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“This past February, I sat across from (Engelbert) and asked how she planned to address the officiating issues in our league,” Collier said. “Her response was, ‘Well, only the losers complain about the refs.’ I also asked how she planned to fix the fact that players like (Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers), who are clearly driving massive revenue for the league and are making so little for their first four years.
“Her response was, ‘(Clark) should be grateful. She makes $16 million off the court because without the platform that the WNBA gives her, she wouldn’t make anything.’ And in that same conversation, she told me, ‘Players should be on their knees, thanking their lucky stars for the media rights deal that I got them.'”
Like Clark, Collier suffered a season-ending injury. Collier’s injury came on a controversial play in Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals between Collier’s Minnesota Lynx and the Phoenix Mercury.
After this Tuesday revelation from Collier, fans, WNBA stars and media personalities had plenty to say about WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert and the direction of the league.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: WNBA fans trash commissioner after dumbfounding Caitlin Clark remarks