WNBA stars support Napheesa Collier after critical comments

WNBA players are throwing their support behind Napheesa Collier after her scathing statement about the league’s leadership, and in particular, commissioner Cathy Engelbert.

Collier criticized the WNBA as having “the worst leadership in the world” when she spoke with reporters for her exit interview after the Lynx were eliminated from the WNBA semifinals by the Mercury. 

A slew of players across the league have voiced their support in one form or another for the five-time All-Star and her comments on Tuesday. 

Chicago Sky star Angel Reese posted on X, “10/10. No notes!” 

Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby posted on X: “@PHEEsespieces thank you for your bravery!!!!!!!!”

Fellow Sparks star Cameron Brinks shared Collier’s more than four-minute-long statement in an Instagram Story, and WNBA Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers posted a photo of herself and Collier with the words “Queen Phee” written under it with a crown emoji. 

“I think I agree with everything [Collier] said,” Indiana Fever star Lexie Hull told reporters in Las Vegas, according to ESPN. “We’re at a really important time in the league and changes need to be made, and so you’re seeing her talk about that, and really proud of her for making that statement today.”

New York Liberty forward Isabelle Harrison weighed in on X, writing, “Standing with Phee.” 

Among those who offered support was the WNBAPA .

“Napheesa Collier is an outstanding leader and Officer of this Union,” the union said in a statement of Collier, who serves as the WNBPA vice president. “When Phee speaks, people listen. We are confident that her words today speak to the feelings and experiences of many, if not most or all of our members. The leaders of the league and its teams would benefit from listening to her powerful statement. The players know their value even if the league does not. They are fighting for their legacy and the future of basketball.”

WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark did not have a comment on Collier’s statement, a spokesperson for the Fever told multiple outlets. 

Among the revelations from Collier was Engelbert’s alleged passive view of the players. 

“This past February, I sat across from [Engelbert] and asked how she planned to address the officiating issues in our league,” Collier said. “Her response was, ‘Well, only the losers complain about the refs.’ I also asked how she planned to fix the fact that players like [Clark, Reese and Bueckers], who are clearly driving massive revenue for the league and are making so little for their first four years.

“Her response was, ‘[Clark] should be grateful. She makes $16 million off the court because without the platform that the WNBA gives her, she wouldn’t make anything.’ And in that same conversation, she told me, ‘Players should be on their knees, thanking their lucky stars for the media rights deal that I got them.’”

In a statement, Engelbert said she has the “utmost respect” for Collier and the league’s players and said she was “disheartened by how Napheesa characterized our conversations and league leadership.”