Report: Collier, Engelbert relationship pushed 'beyond repair'

The relationship between Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier and WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert is allegedly "beyond repair."

According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, Collier has canceled a planned meeting with Engelbert after the commissioner held a press conference and, according to Shelburne's source, "pretty much pushed the relationship beyond repair." 

How did we get here in the first place? Collier suffered a severe ankle sprain in the Lynx's Game 3 loss to the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA playoff semifinals. Two days after Minnesota's season ended in a Game 4 loss, Collier unloaded on Engelbert and the league's officiating, referring to the WNBA's leadership as the "worst in the world."

Engelberg issued a statement later that day, but then spoke publicly about Collier's blistering criticism during a Friday news conference in which she denied saying what Collier claimed she did during a private conversation. 

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Collier said she spoke with Engelbert earlier this year about the officiating, with Engelbert allegedly telling her that "only losers complain about the refs."

When Collier asked Engelbert why big-name players like Caitlin Clark aren't making more money during their first four years in the league, Engelbert allegedly responded: "Caitlin should be grateful she makes $16 million off the court, because without the platform that the WNBA gives her, she wouldn't make anything."

On Friday, Engelbert claimed: "I did not make those comments."

"There is a lot of inaccuracy out there through social media and all of this reporting," Engelbert continued. "I highly respect the players. There is a lot of emotion and passion going on right now between collective bargaining. ... I am obviously disheartened."