Collier Cancels Meeting with Engelbert: Tension in the WNBA

Napheesa Collier Cancels Meeting with WNBA Commissioner

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier has canceled her meeting with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, scheduled for next week, according to sources. Collier had previously expressed his willingness to meet with Engelbert to discuss the criticisms leveled against the commissioner and the league at a press conference on Tuesday. However, Engelbert’s statement at a press conference on Friday, where he denied that Collier’s description of a private conversation was inaccurate, appears to have significantly deteriorated the relationship, according to a source.

“It has practically taken the relationship beyond repair,” the source commented.

A league spokesperson reported that Collier had not yet notified Engelbert about the cancellation of the meeting. Engelbert, for her part, firmly denied having said that Caitlin Clark and other prominent players “should be on their knees” in gratitude for the platform the league has provided them, as Collier had claimed.

“I didn’t make those comments,” Engelbert assured in her annual press conference before Game 1 of the WNBA Finals.

Cathy Engelbert

Engelbert acknowledged that there is much work to be done to rebuild trust with the players, but she expressed confidence in her ability to achieve it. Players from across the league have expressed their support for Collier and her criticisms of the WNBA’s leadership, including Clark, who stated that the Lynx star made “valid points”.