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By James Brizuela
Contributing Writer
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The WNBA world was set ablaze this week when Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier revealed comments made by commissioner Cathy Engelbert. Collier brought to light a comment made by Engelbert, which related to the pay for players, especially regarding superstar Caitlin Clark.
More news: Lynx’s Naphessa Collier Expects Punishment After Calling Out WNBA
"We have the best players in the world, we have the best fans in the world, but right now we have the worst leadership in the world," Collier said in her prepared statement. "The real threat to our league isn't money, it isn't ratings, or even missed calls, or even physical play. It's the lack of accountability from the league office.
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Collier followed that up by revealing a serious comment made by WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert on superstar Caitlin Clark.
“I asked how she planned to fix the fact that players like Caitlin, Angel and Paige, who are clearly driving massive revenue for the league, are making so little for their first four years,” Collier stated. “Her response was, 'Caitlin should be grateful to make $16 million off the court, because without the platform that the WNBA gives her, she wouldn't make anything.’”
Naturally, this led to Engelbert responding. She claimed her disappointment with what Collier took "out of context."
“I am disheartened by how Napheesa characterized our conversations and league leadership, but even when our perspectives differ, my commitment to the players and to this work will not waver," Engelbert stated.
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More news: WNBA Commissioner ‘Likely’ Out After Napheesa Collier, Caitlin Clark Remarks
The comments on leadership and lack thereof reached plenty of players around the league, and pundits and analysts who have since called for major changes. Now, WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson has weighed in ont he controversy, discussing her take on what Collier stated.
"Being the person that I am, just the player that I am. I will always use my voice, whether you like it or not ... we don't ever shy from the moment. I think also as a unified front, we don't shy from holding each other accountable when going after the next big thing. I think right now the talk is going to be the talk, and we are going to continue to push the talk.
"There are many other talks that we need to have, but I'm never going to back down from using my voice and making sure it's heard for not just for me, not for the W, but for the generations coming up as well. It does get tough; everyone is always going to always have a say. But we are not going to back down, we know exactly what we got to this point. How we earned, what we earned, and what we are going to go after. We have to continue to also put the greatest product on the court so they continue to watch us."
Wilson is one of the best basketball players in the world, and she has advocated for the WNBA and the sport for many years. She is alluding to the issues that many view regarding the WNBA, which is tied to player pay.
Though Collier's comments, along with the rest of the WNBA players who have spoken out could lead to sweeping changes, there appears to be a big imbalance currently in the league. Clark, Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, and Wilson are leading the charge for some huge potential league-changing events, whether they want to admit it or not.
It will be interesting to see how the WNBA truly responds to Engelbert, along with the multitude of players that have been outspoken for years about pay.
For more on the WNBA, head to Newsweek Sports.
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