WNBA owners react to the growing feud between Cathy Engelbert and Napheesa Collier — tensions rise ahead of CBA deadline as insiders question leadership and player unity.
So, this story just keeps getting messier. I honestly thought things might cool off after the finals, but nope — the tension between WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier has officially hit a boiling point.
ESPN just dropped a detailed piece quoting several WNBA owners (who, of course, stayed anonymous), and their words were… not pretty. The big headline? Some owners are seriously questioning Engelbert’s leadership — while others think Collier crossed the line by going public with private conversations.
“It’s a Death Spiral” — Owners Are Worried
One exec told ESPN flat-out:
“Once you have that kind of fighting with your best players, it’s a death spiral.”
That’s a pretty chilling way to describe the situation, and honestly, they’re not wrong. The WNBA can’t afford to have its stars and its commissioner openly clashing — especially when the next CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) deadline is literally days away, on October 31st.
And let’s be real — nobody expects the two sides to actually reach a deal by then. It sounds like an extension is almost guaranteed. But the bigger issue here? The league feels divided.
Some Owners Want Cathy OUT
One anonymous owner didn’t hold back, saying:
“If I had a vote, I’d probably ask for a replacement.”
Yikes. That’s as blunt as it gets.
Still, others think firing Engelbert right now would be a disaster. Another owner told ESPN:
“If you fire her now, it’s admitting weakness. It’s a terrible look for the league. I can’t stand what Collier did… It makes me not want to fire her, even though I think she should be fired.”
So basically, even the people who want her gone are saying the timing is too ugly to pull the trigger.
Behind the Scenes — Old School vs. Modern Mindset
If you’ve followed Cathy Engelbert since she took over in 2019, you know she came in as a businesswoman first. Adam Silver hand-picked her for her corporate background, hoping she could stabilize and grow the league financially.
And in fairness, she’s done that part pretty well. Sponsorships, exposure, new expansion teams — the WNBA has grown a lot since she took charge. But when it comes to the culture side of the league — the players, the officiating, and the overall feel — some people think she’s still stuck in the old-school era.
Like, yeah, she played college ball back in the day, but modern WNBA players are running a totally different game now — fast, physical, outspoken, and social-media savvy. Engelbert’s approach hasn’t always clicked with that energy, and this feud with Collier is proof.
Mixed Emotions in the League
People close to both sides are reportedly saying the same thing — this whole situation has gotten “petty” and “messy.”
Even those who agree with Collier’s stance on certain league issues don’t like how she aired it out. And on the flip side, fans and insiders who support Engelbert think she’s mishandled communication badly.
It’s one of those moments where both sides might be right — and both might be wrong.
Chelsea Gray Speaks for the Players
Las Vegas Aces star Chelsea Gray also chimed in on the CBA negotiations, and her comment summed up the players’ mood:
“Things are not where we thought and wanted them to be at this point. It’s market share, it’s salaries, it’s player safety — it’s everything.”
In other words, the players aren’t just fighting over money. It’s about bigger things — travel, safety, investment, respect. All of it.
And the revenue-share piece? That’s going to be the hardest battle. You can’t demand a larger slice of the pie when the league is still trying to prove it can bake a bigger one.
What Happens If Cathy Steps Down?
There’s a theory floating around that if Engelbert does step down or gets pushed out, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver could temporarily take the reins himself. That might sound wild, but given how involved he’s been behind the scenes, it wouldn’t be shocking.
Still — replacing the commissioner mid-CBA would be absolute chaos. New leadership, new tone, and zero trust. Not exactly ideal when the future of the league is on the line.
Where Does This Leave the WNBA?
Honestly? In a tough spot.
Cathy Engelbert has undeniably helped the WNBA grow its business side. But player trust is everything, and once that cracks — it’s hard to rebuild. On the other hand, Collier’s boldness could inspire change, or it could deepen the rift.
It’s one of those moments that’ll define the league’s next decade. Do they double down on corporate control? Or lean into player power and transparency?
Time’s ticking — October 31st is coming fast.
Final Thoughts
This whole situation might look like drama, but it’s also proof of how much the WNBA has evolved. Players care deeply about the direction of the league. Owners are finally voicing frustrations publicly (even if anonymously).
It’s uncomfortable — but necessary.
Because sometimes, progress doesn’t start with a handshake. It starts with a fight.
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