Lynx’s Naphessa Collier Expects Punishment After Calling Out WNBA

[ad_1] Minnesota Lynx star ahead Napheesa Collier criticized the WNBA for its "lack of accountability" in a prolonged assertion that's anticipated to lead to a wonderful.

“I am certain they'll wonderful me," Collier mentioned in her 2025 season exit interview. "Looks as if all of free speech is being fined proper now.”

Describing WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert as "tone-deaf" and "dismissive" when addressing inconsistencies in officiating and participant compensation, Collier gave a scathing evaluate of the league.

<img id="10806818" alt="Napheesa Collier" caption="Lynx star forward Napheesa Collier called out to the WNBA for its "lack of accountability" with its officiating and risks to player health." src="(Photo by Matt Krohn/Getty Images)" sourcealt="" sources="[]" fetchpriority="auto" loading="lazy" width="4371" height="2914" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" style="color:transparent;aspect-ratio:inherit;object-fit:cover" srcset="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/GettyImages-2223112839.jpg?w=1600&quality=75&webp=1 1x" bad-src="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/GettyImages-2223112839.jpg?w=1600&quality=75&webp=1"/> "We've one of the best gamers on the planet, we have now one of the best followers on the planet, however proper now we have now the worst management on the planet," Collier mentioned in her ready assertion. "The true menace to our league is not cash, it is not rankings, and even missed calls, and even bodily play. It is the shortage of accountability from the league workplace.

"I am not involved a couple of wonderful. I am involved about the way forward for our sport. We've one of the best gamers on the planet."

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Coller's assertion comes two days after the Phoenix Mercury eradicated the Lynx from the WNBA postseason in Sport 4 of the semifinals. Minnesota was with out Collier, a frontrunner for the league MVP award, after she suffered an ankle damage in Sport 3 3, and head coach Cheryl Reeve, who was serving a one-game suspension for calling out "terrible" officiating following an ejection that recreation.

The Lynx have drawn the ire of the league over the previous week after reportedly fining Reeve $15,000 for her criticism after Sport 3.

Nonetheless, Collier mentioned her assertion was on behalf of not simply Minnesota however each workforce and participant, as personal conversations with the league haven't been collaborative.

"For too lengthy, I've tried to have these conversations in personal, however it's clear there isn't any intention of accepting there's an issue," Collier mentioned. "The league has made it clear it is not about innovation. It is not about collaboration. It is about management and energy. Our management's reply to being held accountable is to suppress everybody's voices by handing out fines."

Colier mentioned Engelbert advised her that "solely losers complain in regards to the refs" and that rising stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers "ought to be on their knees thanking their fortunate stars" for the platform and media rights deal the WNBA offers as a substitute of providing larger pay on rookie contracts.

Because the WNBA's ongoing collective bargaining settlement (CBA) and participant wage negotiations are reaching a fever pitch, Collier's stance stays that the league doesn't care about its gamers.