WNBA News

Home

Teams

Quizzes

Newsletter

WNBA MVP Sends Message After Napheesa Collier's Viral Statement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh Valdez | Last updated Sep 30, 2025 10:27 PM ET

Minnesota Lynx superstar Napheesa Collier had another elite season this year, but what she did off the court might be even more memorable.

The five-time All-Star gave an opening statement in her exit interview on Tuesday in which she criticized WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert for being "tone deaf," via ESPN's Malika Andrews.

"The real threat to our league isn't money, ratings, or even missed calls or physical play. It's the lack of accountability from the league office," she said. "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 in which it operates."

"At Unrivaled this past February, I sat across from Cathy and asked how she planned to address the officiating issues in our league," she continued. "Her response was, 'Well, only the losers complain about the refs.'"

Las Vegas Aces superstar A'ja Wilson gave Collier the benefit of the doubt before her team hosted the Indiana Fever in Game 5 of the WNBA Semifinals on Tuesday night, via ESPN's Alexa Phillippou.

Wilson told ESPN's Katie Barnes that she hadn't had the chance to listen to Collier's comments, but she said "Just knowing Phee and what she believes in and what she stands for, I'm pretty sure she's gonna stand 10 toes down on that, & we're gonna be behind her."

Wilson is one of several players around the league who stood with Collier on Tuesday. The Chicago Sky's Angel Reese, the New York Liberty's Isabelle Harrison, the Los Angeles Sparks' Dearica Hamby, and the Washington Mystics' Alysha Clark all posted encouraging messages on X.

A'ja Wilson told @katie_barnes3 that she hasn't had a chance to listen to Napheesa Collier's comments yet, but said, in part: "Just knowing Phee & what she believes in and what she stands for, I'm pretty sure she's gonna stand 10 toes down on that, & we're gonna be behind her."
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) October 1, 2025

Lexie Hull, Paige Bueckers Join Party

Additionally, the Indiana Fever's Lexie Hull gave a supportive statement before Tuesday's game, via Phillippou.

"I think I agree with everything she said," she said. "We're at a really important time in the league and changes need to be made, and so you're seeing her talk about that and really proud of her for making that statement today."

On top of that, Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers posted "Queen Phee" on Instagram.

Collier's comments came two days after the Lynx suffered a season-ending 86-81 loss to the Phoenix Mercury in Game 4 of the WNBA Semifinals. The 29-year-old didn't play due to an ankle injury she sustained at the end of Game 3 when Mercury star Alyssa Thomas drove through her leg while stealing the ball. The referees didn't call a foul, and Minnesota head coach Cheryl Reeve got ejected for yelling at them. The four-time Coach of the Year also got suspended for Game 4.

This development is also occurring one month before the deadline by which the WNBA Player's Association and league must agree to a new collective bargaining agreement. If the two sides don't create a new deal by Oct. 31, there will be a lockout.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: