Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier is at a crucial moment in her career. As she leads her team in the pursuit of a WNBA championship, she is also facing important contract negotiations and the management of multiple roles that define her both on and off the court.
Collier, in addition to being the Lynx’s franchise player and vice president of the WNBA Players Association, is a co-founder of Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 basketball league. This summer, while seeking to bring the Lynx back to the WNBA Finals, she is also involved in the most important contract negotiations in the league’s history.
Even if we’re not competing leagues, we can always say, ‘Look how much Unrivaled is paying us’ … That should allow us to make more money in the W. I feel like it gives us leverage because it gives players more power. There’s more than one league we can play in, and we all want to play in the WNBA.
Napheesa Collier
The creation of Unrivaled, a league designed to offer players more income, control, and options, has changed the dynamics of women’s basketball. Collier highlights that this league serves as a catalyst for improving working conditions in the WNBA.
The current WNBA season coincides with the expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement. Players are seeking to obtain a larger share of the league’s revenue, especially with the new television rights deal that will generate significant profits.La vida dentro y fuera de la cancha es un constante malabarismo para Napheesa Collier, pero entregar un título de la WNBA a Minnesota es una de las cosas que están en la cima de su lista.Despite her success, Collier stands out for her lack of “trash talk.” Her teammates recognize that, although she tries to motivate them, she often adapts her words to a child audience. However, in key moments, Collier demonstrates her determination, such as when she wore an Unrivaled jersey during the WNBA All-Star draft.
Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve highlights Collier’s ability to compete with grace and her skill in leading on and off the court.Los fanáticos en el Juego de Estrellas de la WNBA en Indianápolis dejaron clara su apoyo a los jugadores mientras continúan las conversaciones para un nuevo acuerdo de negociación colectiva. Collier, en el centro, no puede evitar sonreír después de que su equipo venció al Team Clark y ganó los honores de MVP.The Unrivaled league already offers average salaries of $220,000 to its players and grants stock ownership. Collier’s teammate at Unrivaled, Breanna Stewart, emphasizes that this is the standard players expect when returning to the WNBA.
Over the All-Star weekend, more than 40 players gathered in Indianapolis for the first in-person meeting between the union and league executives since December. Stewart described it as a “missed opportunity” due to the lack of progress. The players are seeking a system that allows them to earn a larger percentage of the league’s revenue.
The players gathered in Indianapolis, wearing warm-up shirts with the phrase “Pay us what you owe us.” Fans displayed signs with the message “Pay the players,” and chants of “pay them” echoed through the stands as Collier received the MVP trophy.
Collier emphasizes her commitment to the success of the WNBA, recognizing that her interests are intertwined with those of the league.Breanna Stewart, izquierda, y Napheesa Collier son rivales en la cancha pero socias para servir como fundadoras de Unrivaled.After the Lynx’s defeat in the 2024 WNBA Finals, Collier immersed herself in Unrivaled, training intensely and seeking to improve her skills. This led her to win the individual tournament and be named MVP of the league.
Coach Reeve noticed a change in Collier, attributing her determination to the frustration of not having won the WNBA championship. Collier has transformed that frustration into motivation for this season.Collier recibe la corona después de ganar el torneo individual de mitad de temporada durante la temporada inaugural de Unrivaled.Collier’s ambition is reflected in her focus on the championship. Currently, she leads the WNBA in scoring and field goal percentage, averaging 23.2 points per game.
Reeve highlighted that the team must assume that their return journey to the Finals will be even more difficult than the previous one. Collier emphasizes that his main goal is the championship and that he prefers recognition as Finals MVP over that of the league, as that would mean the team’s victory.Collier, a la derecha, está en el centro de todo lo que hace Minnesota, y es probable que las Lynx lleguen tan lejos como ella las lleve.The Lynx have had a promising start to the season. With 17 games remaining, the team is looking to solidify its identity, and Collier is fundamental to this.
After a morning training session and a commitment to her daughter, Collier prepares for a massage. The player faces a busy schedule, but always shows a calm and serene attitude, a quality she learned from her father.La hija de 3 años de Collier, Mila, estuvo presente en agosto pasado durante la carrera de las mujeres estadounidenses hacia el oro olímpico de París 2024.Collier remains focused on her responsibilities, displaying exceptional grace in every situation. Her focus on the present and her determination are key to facing the challenges that come her way.
