Five-time All-Star Napheesa Collier has accused the WNBA of “self-sabotage” and failing to put the welfare of players first.
The Minnesota Lynx guard said WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has shown “the worst leadership in the world” and the league of a “lack of accountability”.
Engelbert said she had the “utmost respect” for Collier and remains focused on “ensuring a bright future” for the players and the WNBA.
Collier’s frustrations follow an incident during the Lynx’s 84-76 defeat by the Phoenix Mercury on Friday in game three of their play-off semi-final series.
The 29-year-old injured an ankle in the final seconds after a collision with Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas, but no foul was given.
Collier was sent off for arguing against the decision, with coach Cheryl Reeve given a one-match ban for scathing comments about the incident after the game.
Without Collier, the Lynx lost game four on Monday and were eliminated.
Reading a statement in a news conference, Collier said: “I want to be clear this conversation is not about winning or losing.
“It’s about something much bigger. 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.
“Since I’ve been in the league you’ve heard the constant concerns about officiating, and it has now reached levels of inconsistency that plague our sport and undermine the integrity of which it operates.
“Whether the league cares about the health of our players is one thing, but to also not care about the product we put on the floor is truly self-sabotage.”
Collier said Engelbert, in a conversation about pay in February, said star players such as Indian Fever’s Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese should be “grateful” for what they earn.
The league and the WNBA Players Association are in talks over a new collective bargaining agreement, with the current deal expiring at the end of this month.
Collier’s comments appear to have the support of Reese, who shared and liked the video of her news conference on social media with the caption: “10/10. No notes.”
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