Sophie Cunningham Links Fever’s Injuries to Cathy Engelbert

Napheesa Collier has never been one to mince words, and this time was no different. Fed up with what she sees as a lack of progress, the WNBPA vice president directed her fire at the league office. “But it’s clear there’s no intention of accepting there’s a problem,” Collier said of the officiating. She had tried to raise those concerns directly with Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, but nothing changed. “The league has made it clear, it isn’t about innovation. It isn’t about collaboration. It’s about control and power.” Collier’s words didn’t echo in silence. They struck a chord with Sophie Cunningham, who has never shied away from speaking her mind either.

If there’s been one constant theme all season, it’s been officiating. From Cheryl Reeve getting hit with a record $15,000 fine for her fiery comments, to Stephanie White racking up penalties of her own after venting out frustration against them, the message has been the same — coaches and players are fed up. Yes, Collier’s two-page prepared statement put the entire league on notice. And if anything, it feels like this fight is only just getting started.

Cunningham, too, raised the same concerns. “I think there is room for improvement when the whole league is asking for it. But when the leadership isn’t doing anything about it? Why? The game isn’t fun to watch because everyone is trying to kill each other…” she said in an interview, making it clear that even if Cathy Engelbert doesn’t see it, players across the league believe change is overdue.