With a month to go before the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement expires, conflict has erupted. Minnesota Lynx power forward Napheesa Collier, vice president of the players’ union and one of the most influential figures in the competition, has strongly criticized the leadership of the league. She has lashed out at commissioner Cathy Engelbert, the refereeing and the economic conditions of the players. If the positions were already far apart, this fire makes negotiations even more difficult.
During a four-minute appearance before the press, Collier accused the WNBA of being “deaf” and showing “contempt” for the competition by sabotaging its own product. “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,” said the five-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA first team player. With 22.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, she is again aiming for the best team this season.
The WNBA is experiencing spectacular growth thanks to the arrival of young stars such as Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers. Audiences and attendance at arenas are at record levels, but this does not translate into profits for the players, whoso far only receive 9% of the revenue while the boys in the NBA get 50%.
Caitlin Clark should be grateful to earn $16 million off the court. Without the platform provided by the WNBA, she would earn nothing
Collier even revealed a conversation with the commissioner in which they addressed the issue of salaries. Engelbert said Clark, the WNBA’s most high-profile player, should “be grateful to earn $16 million off the court, because without the platform that the WNBA provides, she would earn nothing”. The Indiana Fever star, still on her rookie contract, earns $338,000 over four seasons.
Arbitration and health
The Lynx player also spoke about refereeing and protecting the health of the players. She was injured in the last game after receiving a foul that was not sanctioned. Due to her protests, she was ejected and her coach received a one-game suspension for criticizing the referees. Her team was eliminated in the playoffs.
Collier’s words have been well received by her WNBA teammates. “Our league is at a point where it hasn’t been in the last 10 years. We are growing exponentially and we need changes to reflect that,” says the Fever’s Lexie Hull. Negotiations for the new collective bargaining agreement will be in doubt. The players feel strong and united. The shadow of a lockout looms.
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