Collier Speaks On Her Statement About Cathy Engelbert Again

As one of the league's best players, Collier is widely respected. She is not only a fantastic player, but she is also an established leader in her role as an Executive Vice President on the WNBA's Players Association.

Engelbert has since issued a statement to respond to Collier's comments. However, that only made it worse because Collier is now refusing to communicate with Engelbert at all, which could be a precursor to a WNBA lockout because of stalled negotiations for the collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

Collier Speaks for the First Time Since Her Statement

It was reported over the weekend that Collier would cancel her meeting with Engelbert. The stated reason was that the commissioner's press conference was the final straw, and their relationship was described as "beyond repair."

That is not a good look for the WNBA, as its commissioner is having a hard time speaking with one of the best players, who is also a prominent member of the WNBPA.

For the first time since her fiery presser, Collier got to speak in front of an audience. It was at an event where she and former US Vice President Kamala Harris were on stage.

"I saw nothing was changing. Coaches, winning and losing alike, were complaining about the same things, over and over again. Players, over and over again, we weren’t seeing a change that our leadership was trying to make. And I think I just got to the point where I was fed up," Collier said at the event.

"Whether I was going to get annihilated for this, or people were going to support me, I felt what I was doing was right. I felt like it needed to be said. So no matter the consequences, I felt like it was something that needed to be done."

The WNBA is Set for Big Changes Soon

The WNBA secured an 11-year deal with Versant to show regular-season games and some games in the Playoffs starting in 2026 on the USA Network. It expands the game package under the WNBA's deals signed back in 2024, when they partnered up with multiple platforms such as Disney, Prime Video, and NBC.

That should improve the league's visibility and possibly affect the revenue for the players. Unfortunately, that was one of the talking points that Collier brought up, and Engelbert talked about how the players should be grateful for their off-the-court opportunities.

Collier disliked that, and it has stayed with her since the conversation in February. Now, the players are in a prime position to negotiate a better deal for themselves in the new CBA. With the league on the rise, Engelbert might have to concede to the players.

The sport is growing, and it will only keep developing with players like Collier, Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers are leading the way for a new era for women's basketball.