Engelbert denies controversial comments and promises to improve in the WNBA

Cathy Engelbert Denies Allegations and Addresses Key Issues for the WNBA

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has responded to recent statements by Napheesa Collier, star player for the Minnesota Lynx, calling some of the comments attributed to her “inaccurate.” Engelbert denied having said that Caitlin Clark and other prominent players “should be on their knees” thanking the league for the platform it has provided them.

I didn’t make those comments. There’s a lot of inaccuracy on social media and in all these reports. I have a lot of respect for the players. There’s a lot of emotion and passion right now around collective bargaining. Obviously, I’m heartbroken.

Cathy Engelbert, WNBA Commissioner

Engelbert’s statements were made at a press conference prior to Game 1 of the WNBA Finals. The commissioner admitted that she will meet with Collier next week and acknowledged the need to improve relations with the players. Regarding Collier’s criticism, who called the league’s leadership “the worst in the world”, Engelbert emphasized that the players are the center of everything they do in the WNBA. “If the players don’t feel appreciated and valued by the league, then we must improve, and I must improve,” she added. Engelbert also expressed his confidence in the possibility of repairing any loss of trust and his commitment to do everything possible to achieve it. Following Collier’s statements, several players expressed their support and agreed with the criticisms of Engelbert’s leadership. When asked if she expects to continue being commissioned beyond the current collective bargaining negotiations, Engelbert responded that she has never given up and does not shy away from difficult situations. In addition, she stated that she will address the specific problems that the league office identifies and other concerns that the players wish to raise. However, a call from the players’ union informed the players that conversations with Engelbert, members of the collective bargaining committee, and the league’s legal counsel have not made progress. The main negotiation topics include raising salaries and income distribution. Engelbert stated that she shares the goal of significantly increasing the salaries and benefits of the players and that she has presented proposals with significant income-sharing components. The key, according to the commissioner, is to strike a balance that allows the players to obtain the desired benefits, while the owners remain incentivized to invest and make profits. The current collective bargaining agreement expires on October 31st, after the players’ union opted not to renew the current agreement last year. Engelbert expects a new agreement to be reached by then, but also acknowledged that an extension might be necessary. The commissioner also mentioned that the league and the players aim to avoid a lockout next season. However, there are other important events on the WNBA calendar before next spring that cannot occur without a new collective bargaining agreement. For example, there can be no expansion draft, necessary to build the rosters of the upcoming expansion teams, Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, until a new agreement is reached. Engelbert highlighted the importance of leveraging the momentum generated in the last five years, which has boosted the audience and interest in the league. However, he acknowledged that there is still a long way to go to reach an agreement and assured that they will continue negotiating until a transformative agreement is reached.

Other topics discussed by Engelbert

The WNBA will establish a “multi-stakeholder working group” to address concerns about the league’s officiating, which has been a major topic of debate for players and coaches this season. The goal is for this group to serve as a “committee on the state of the game,” where players and other stakeholders can voice their concerns to “ensure that the officiating platform evolves and is in tune with the growth of the league.” Engelbert stated that a referee’s job is to serve the game and that, to achieve this at the highest level, requires alignment with stakeholders to perform and be accountable for that performance based on that alignment. Recently, Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve called for a leadership change in the league regarding the referee hiring process after a play that resulted in Collier’s injury in Game 4 of the WNBA semifinals. Regarding the pending sale of the Connecticut Sun, Engelbert said that the team’s owners, the Mohegan tribe, “continue to evaluate their strategic options” to decide whether they will remain the main owners, minority investors, or sell the entire franchise. In early September, the state of Connecticut submitted a proposal for an offer that would keep the team in the state. Two months earlier, the team’s ownership group submitted an agreement to the WNBA that would move the franchise to Boston. The investment proposed by Connecticut, which would use state-affiliated funds, would involve Sun selling a minority stake in the franchise at a valuation higher than the WNBA’s current offer of $250 million to buy the team. The WNBA’s offer would allow the franchise to be moved to a market chosen by the league office. Engelbert said that no decision has yet been made about his perspective on how they are strategically considering their next steps.