The WNBA’s Defining Moment: Power, Trust, and the Next Era of Leadership

Collier’s calling card to the WNBA

By: Eric Lambkins II

If we strip away the press releases and polished social media posts for a moment, Napheesa Collier’s exit interview wasn’t just a reflection of her own convictions. When she read her statement to close the Lynx’s season, her voice carried the collective weight of every legend who ever laced up sneakers and wore a WNBA jersey for a paycheck that never reflected their true impact. Her resonance still reverberates—the specter of Sheryl Swoopes fighting for the very first contract, the steady, determined cadence of Lisa Leslie building a league from nothing, the fiery, uncompromising truth of Maya Moore, who sacrificed her prime for a cause greater than herself.

Collier’s words weren’t a negotiation tactic—they were a declaration. A moment to carve her name into the lineage of leadership that has defined this league from its inception. The synchronized expiry of the majority of the WNBA’s contracts isn’t a coincidence; it’s a meticulously crafted tapestry of unity, a silent promise made in ink that says, “We move forward, together.”

So, is it a petty war? One could frame it that way, reducing it to a personal squabble with the commissioner. But that feels infinitesimal—too doltish and dense for something this profound. What resembles a power struggle to observers feels, in the visceral, resolute reality of the league, like the requisite tightening of a fist before a unified punch.

Collier’s move is the antithesis of petty; it’s profoundly protective. Her call to arms is an observant acknowledgment that the league’s explosive growth is notable—it’s the very moment she must plant both flag and feet to ensure the foundation is solid for the next generation.

The “revenge” targets not the commissioner, but the long-standing cycle that tells women’s sports to be grateful for crumbs. It’s an astute, empathetic understanding that the only way to truly honor the sweat of your predecessors is to guarantee that the game you leave behind is sturdier, fairer, and infinitely more prosperous than the one you inherited.

This marks not the first shot in a war of egos, but the next calculated and necessary verse in an anthem of progress sung for decades.

“For Cathy Engelbert, the Game’s Next Battle Isn’t Financial—It’s About Trust“

By: Mykell Mathieu

I agree with many of the points Eric raised, but I believe the core issue facing the players begins—and ultimately ends—with Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.

Engelbert has overseen a period of unprecedented growth for the WNBA, yet she has also lost something essential along the way: the trust of her players. Napheesa Collier’s message at season’s end wasn’t just about leverage—it was a direct attempt to shake Engelbert’s leadership and remind her who truly drives this league’s success. The players are not just employees; they are the product, the heartbeat, and the reason fans tune in.

Engelbert must recognize that her strained relationship with players could have real consequences. A prolonged standoff—or worse, a strike—could stall the WNBA’s current momentum and potentially cost her position altogether.

To her credit, Engelbert has achieved measurable success since stepping into the role in 2019. The league has expanded its audience, secured new sponsors, and benefited from an influx of young superstars alongside veteran icons who continue to elevate the game. She also helped finalize a collective bargaining agreement once considered transformative, offering new benefits and improved pay for players.

But the next CBA will be an entirely different battle. The goodwill that once fueled negotiations has eroded, replaced by growing frustration and skepticism from those on the court. Collier’s words marked the beginning of a power struggle that could stretch deep into the winter—and possibly spring.

For Engelbert, the path forward is clear. She cannot allow pride or ego to overshadow progress. If the WNBA is to sustain its upward trajectory, she must rebuild trust, listen to players, and remember that growth means little if those at the center of it no longer feel seen, valued, or respected.

“The WNBA’s Growth Is Undeniable — But Cathy Engelbert’s Rift with Players Could Derail It“

By: Jackie Rae

For the most part, I have no notes on the points Eric and Mykell raised. Yet, I can’t help but feel there’s one glaring omission.

Cathy Engelbert’s story begins long before she ever sat in the commissioner’s chair. She played basketball as a walk-on at Lehigh University from 1982 to 1986 but never received a professional offer. After graduation, she pivoted to business and accounting, rising through the ranks to become CEO of Deloitte—one of the “Big Four” accounting firms—before taking over as WNBA commissioner.

It isn’t impossible to balance business acumen with passion for the game. But Engelbert’s leadership suggests she lacks the fire that once fueled her own playing days. Her decisions reveal a disconnect from the very athletes she’s tasked with leading. She doesn’t seem to care that one team can play in Los Angeles on Monday and in New York on Tuesday. She doesn’t seem to care that training camp lasts barely two weeks or that many teams are forced to practice during the season. She doesn’t seem to care that the league has expanded to 44 games without extending the calendar.

And if she doesn’t care about these issues, then she doesn’t truly care about the players who are the foundation of the league’s success. The athletes deserve a growth spurt not just in viewership, attendance, and salary—but in leadership that matches their ambition.

If a lockout is what it takes to force change at the top, then so be it. Removing Engelbert might not be the setback some fear—it could be the next evolution in the WNBA’s growth.