WNBA Star Napheesa Collier Cancels Meeting With Commissioner Amid Leadership Tensions

Minnesota Lynx star and players' union vice president Napheesa Collier has canceled a planned meeting with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, escalating tensions between league leadership and players amid ongoing collective bargaining negotiations. Collier publicly criticized the league's leadership, describing it as the "worst leadership in the world," and shared that private conversations with Engelbert included dismissive comments about player concerns and rookie salaries. Engelbert denied some of Collier's claims, including remarks about star player Caitlin Clark and the league's financial role, calling the reported comments inaccurate and expressing disheartenment over the strained relationships. The meeting cancellation comes weeks before the October 31 deadline to ratify a new collective bargaining agreement. Both sides acknowledge the need to repair relationships, with Engelbert stating that if players feel unappreciated, the league and she personally must do better. The situation highlights broader player dissatisfaction with league leadership, compensation, and officiating issues as the WNBA season concludes.