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. This was reported by sources close to the situation. Collier had previously expressed to Engelbert his willingness to meet to discuss the criticisms leveled at the commissioner and the league in a press conference held on Tuesday. Engelbert’s statement at a press conference on Friday, where he denied Collier’s statements about a private conversation between the two, “has practically damaged the relationship irreparably,” according to a source. A league spokesperson reported that Collier had not yet notified Engelbert about the cancellation of the meeting. On Friday, Engelbert flatly 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 claimed.“There is a lot of inaccuracy on social media and in all the reports,” added Engelbert. “I have a lot of respect for the players. There is a lot of emotion and passion right now because of the collective bargaining… Obviously, I am discouraged.” Engelbert acknowledged that he has a lot of work to do to rebuild trust with the players, but he is confident that he will be able to achieve it. Players across the league have shown their support for Collier and her criticisms of the WNBA’s leadership, including Clark, who said the Lynx star made “valid points”.“I didn’t make those comments,” Engelbert stated at her annual pre-Game 1 press conference of the WNBA Finals.
Cathy Engelbert
