Crisis in the WNBA: Is Engelbert on the Hot Seat? CBA and Arbitration in the Crosshairs.

Las Vegas Aces Conquer the WNBA: A New Challenge on the Horizon?

The WNBA season came to an end with the crowning of a new dynasty: the Las Vegas Aces won their third title in four years. However, the final series, and indeed all the playoffs, were marked by tension and high expectations. This atmosphere could intensify even more, as the league faces one of its most challenging pre-seasons. The WNBA has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, with records in attendance, ratings, investments, and franchise valuation. However, the key question is how these achievements will translate into lasting and transformative change. This is the question that the league, its players, and other relevant stakeholders are asking themselves. In this context, the WNBA and the WNBPA are in the midst of negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement, which adds uncertainty. In addition, the future of Cathy Engelbert as commissioner is in question, following criticism from Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier, who called the WNBA’s leadership “the worst in the world” in an exit interview. Added to this is the concern about officiating, which has been a hot topic during the postseason. The collective bargaining negotiations and arbitration problems, among other aspects, have tested Commissioner Engelbert’s management. The current situation could determine the future of the league. October 31st is the deadline for the collective bargaining agreement, but it could be extended. Las Vegas guard, Chelsea Gray, commented that the negotiations “are not where we thought and wanted them to be at this moment. It’s market share, it’s salaries, it’s player safety, it’s everything”. Brianna Turner, Fever forward, emphasized the importance of guaranteeing charter flights in the new collective bargaining agreement, as well as the payment of accommodation to the players during the season. A league executive commented that WNBA team owners who are affiliated with NBA teams and those who are not, could have different priorities during collective bargaining negotiations. Another resource commented that they hope the owners are as unified in their negotiations as the players are.

The players are very important. There is no doubt. But what they don’t understand is that this league is not yet that strong. It has a long way to go. So if you ruin the momentum right now, you’re playing with their livelihoods for future generations.

Source: A league resource

The players feel they have heard these kinds of statements for too long.

There is no growth without the players. So, why wouldn’t we do something that makes the players happy?

Chelsea Gray

Coach Nate Tibbetts pointed out all the errors on the court in his press conference after the Phoenix Mercury’s Game 4 loss and the WNBA Finals sweep. But as he sat at the podium after the decisive game, he had another complaint: the officiating. At the end of the third quarter, Tibbetts received two quick technical fouls, making him the first coach in WNBA history to be ejected in the Finals. Two of their players, Kahleah Copper and DeWanna Bonner, also received technical fouls in the game.

He’s weak, weak, weak. We were playing for our lives in the playoffs… I didn’t feel like he deserved it at all… It was bullshit. There have been problems with the refereeing all year.

Nate Tibbetts

Tibbetts’ comments were a fitting conclusion to a season defined by complaints and controversy over officiating. Players, coaches, and executives across the league have pointed to the referees’ lack of consistency, as well as the level of physicality allowed. An executive from the team said that those are valid concerns, but some of the problems have deeper roots. The executive pointed to the WNBA arenas in Dallas, Connecticut, Chicago, and Atlanta as problems: those courts do not have the same technology and camera angles as other markets that are considered crucial for correctly calling a game. The team executive also said that a Two-Minute Report is needed as in the NBA to establish transparency and credibility with the referees, as well as a replay center to review calls in real time.