WNBA drama explodes as owners clash over Napheesa Collier blasting Cathy Engelbert — focus keyword: Napheesa Collier blast Cathy Engelbert.
Alright, you guys. I hate to say it — but this is not good news for the WNBA. Not good at all.
As we inch closer to the CBA deadline at the end of October, things are looking straight-up chaotic behind the scenes. There’s a clear divide among WNBA owners, and that division is now boiling over — with one owner reportedly blasting Napheesa Collier for how she’s handled her public criticism of Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
Let’s break this all down because what’s happening right now could determine if we even get a 2026 WNBA season.
The Divide Runs Deep Among WNBA Owners
So here’s what’s really wild — there’s a group of owners who actually want Cathy Engelbert gone. They’ve been fed up for a while. But now, there’s another group who’s furious about the way Napheesa Collier went public, and they’re saying it’s making them not want to remove Engelbert at all.
One owner reportedly said:
“I can’t stand what Napheesa Collier did. That was a private conversation. It makes me not want to fire Cathy Engelbert — even though I think she should be fired.”
Let that sink in.
So, even people who agree Engelbert has mishandled major issues — refs, communication, player treatment — are still defending her now just because they’re turned off by how Napheesa went about it.
That’s how bad this divide has gotten.
Collier’s Public Comments Crossed a Line for Some
Now, here’s where it gets even more complicated. Collier has gone on multiple platforms, blasting Engelbert over everything from the league’s officiating to lack of transparency to how communication has been handled behind closed doors.
That alone was already shaking things up — but the real drama started when she allegedly leaked details of a private conversation with Caitlin Clark. Now, it’s not confirmed if that leak actually happened, but just the possibility of it has some owners fuming.
And then you add in the fact that Collier has reportedly refused to meet for CBA negotiations while promoting her rival league, Unrivaled, at the same time?
Yeah, the optics are terrible.
As one owner put it:
“If you fire Cathy right now, it’s admitting weakness. It’s a terrible look for the NBA and the WNBA.”
These are billionaires. They’ve got egos. They’re not about to look weak or admit a player forced their hand.
Cathy Engelbert’s Leadership Still Under Fire
Now don’t get it twisted — just because some owners are siding with Engelbert doesn’t mean they actually support her leadership.
Many still think she’s done a poor job managing officiating issues, has been slow to fix transparency problems, and has made too many decisions centered around her own legacy instead of the league’s growth.
To be fair, Engelbert has done some good things. She’s the reason the league survived the Wubble era. She got players to commit, kept the season alive, and made the most out of a brutal global shutdown.
But when Caitlin Clark came into the league and the spotlight shifted — suddenly it looked like Engelbert couldn’t stand not being the face of the success story. And that’s where the friction began.
Engelbert wanted it to be about her vision. Collier wanted it to be about the players.
And now, that conflict might cost everyone a season.
Players vs. Owners — A Total Stalemate
Right now, the players reportedly don’t want to negotiate while Engelbert is still in charge. But the owners — especially the ones rubbed wrong by Collier’s actions — are digging in their heels.
So what happens next? A stalemate.
Fans are stuck in the middle.
Caitlin Clark fans want to see her play in 2026. The league’s momentum is peaking. But if this CBA fight doesn’t get settled soon, we could be looking at a real lockout situation — and that would be catastrophic for the WNBA’s growth.
It’s a lose-lose right now.
No progress, no trust, no unity.
And honestly? It’s starting to look like ego — from both sides — might be what kills the season before it even starts.
The Bottom Line
There’s no denying Napheesa Collier has valid points about leadership, officiating, and communication. She’s not wrong. But the way she’s going about it — public blasting, media appearances, leaks, refusal to meet — it’s giving owners an excuse to hold the line and not make changes.
Cathy Engelbert’s leadership is being questioned.
Collier’s judgment is being questioned.
And the fans? We’re the ones caught in the middle — again.
If this doesn’t get fixed by the end of the month, don’t be surprised if headlines start screaming LOCKOUT.
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