Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier is preparing to take bold and historic action against WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert and the league’s leadership as tensions rise over a new collective bargaining agreement. Collier’s 2025 season ended painfully after she suffered a severe ankle injury — tearing three ligaments and a shin muscle — during the semifinals against the Phoenix Mercury. The injury forced her to watch from the sidelines as her team fell short of a WNBA Finals berth.
Following the season’s end, Collier emerged as a leading voice in the WNBPA’s fight for improved conditions and fairer compensation. Her advocacy has placed her at the center of a growing standoff between the players and league officials. With the current CBA set to expire, she has positioned herself as a strong representative for athletes seeking lasting reform in the WNBA’s pay structure, benefits, and working environment.
In a fiery statement, Collier criticized Engelbert’s leadership, calling it the “worst in the world,” a remark that ignited widespread discussion across the sports community. Their relationship further deteriorated after Engelbert reportedly dismissed allegations regarding comments about Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark’s earnings, deepening mistrust between players and the league office. Collier’s remarks underscored a wider frustration among athletes who feel undervalued and unheard by league management.
The personal and professional fallout between Engelbert and Collier — who also serves as the vice president of the WNBPA — has become a major obstacle in ongoing negotiations. Both sides are racing against time, as the existing agreement from 2020 is due to expire within days. The breakdown in communication threatens to delay progress on critical issues like player salaries, revenue sharing, and maternity protections, all of which players see as vital to the league’s future.
In a recent interview, Collier emphasized the urgency and determination among players to secure a fair deal, even if it means taking drastic measures. She hinted that the union is ready to make significant sacrifices to achieve historic change for women’s basketball. As the expiration deadline looms, Collier’s leadership and outspoken stance signal a potential turning point — not just for the WNBA, but for the fight for equality and respect in women’s professional sports.
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