The WNBA already had an image problem, and commissioner Cathy Engelbert just made it even worse.
During the 2025 WNBA season, the league suffered from a lack of consistency among referees, which multiple WNBA coaches and fans brought to the forefront.
Engelbert all but ignored those concerns, and as more star players continued to go down with injury, nothing was done.
During the WNBA playoffs, Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier was injured in a game against the Phoenix Mercury, where Alyssa Thomas stole the ball from her, knocking her to the ground, and sealing the victory for the Mercury.
After the No.1-seed Lynx lost to the Mercury and were bounced from the playoffs, it was announced that Collier suffered multiple torn ligaments in her ankle and a muscle in her shin in the collision.
It was not the injury that drew the most attention, but what Collier said after during her exit interview that has everyone talking.
Napheesa Collier’s full statement today, where she challenged Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and the WNBA with directness and stunning detail we rarely hear from active players. Worth listening to every word. pic.twitter.com/IRTvTc52EA
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) September 30, 2025
In a now-viral clip, Collier made some revealing remarks about things Cathy Engelbert reportedly said to her at the beginning of the season.
Collier prefaced her statement by saying that it was not about winning, but more about the leadership and product of the WNBA.
In Collier's statement, she addressed multiple issues, including Engelbert, the product of the league, players' salaries, and the refereeing problem.
She also made a damning statement about what Engelbert allegedly said regarding Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark.
As Collier was going full scorched earth on Engelbert and the league, she revealed that Engelbert told her that Clark "should be grateful she makes $16 million off the court, because without the platform the WNBA gives her, she wouldn't make anything."
If true, Engelbert should step down immediately because there is no excuse to say that about any player in the league, especially your meal ticket.
Without Clark, the WNBA would return to the dark ages, where they had no media deals and all the players flew coach when traveling to games, and stayed in average hotels.
The WNBA as a whole needs to take time for some massive self-reflection, starting with the firing of Cathy Engelbert and Monty McCutchen, the head of WNBA officiating.