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Napheesa Collier Cancels Meeting with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert

Napheesa Collier cancels meeting with WNBA commissioner

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier has canceled her meeting with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert after public disagreements. Collier's criticism drew support from players across the league.

  • Collier cancels meeting with Engelbert
  • Relationship reportedly damaged beyond repair
  • Engelbert denies remarks attributed to her
  • Collier previously willing to meet
  • Players support Collier's criticisms
  • Engelbert seeks to rebuild trust

An escalating dispute between Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier and WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has culminated in Collier canceling a scheduled meeting. The decision follows Engelbert’s public denial of remarks Collier attributed to her, highlighting deepening tensions over leadership accountability within the league.

Collier Calls Off Meeting over Accountability Concerns

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier has canceled a planned discussion with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert. Collier cited a “lack of accountability” after Engelbert publicly refuted comments Collier said were made during a private conversation.[1][2]

Commissioner Denies ‘On Their Knees’ Remark

At a news conference before Game 1 of the WNBA Finals in Las Vegas on October 3, Engelbert denied telling Collier that Caitlin Clark and other players “should be on their knees” in gratitude for the league’s platform. “I did not make those comments,” Engelbert stated, adding that she “highly respects the players” and was “disheartened” by inaccurate reports.[3][4]

Sources Describe Relationship as Beyond Repair

A league spokesperson confirmed to ESPN that Collier had not formally informed Engelbert of her decision to cancel the meeting. Insiders characterized the relationship between commissioner and player as “beyond repair” following Engelbert’s public denial of Collier’s account.[2]

Players Rally Behind Collier’s Criticism

WNBA players voiced support for Collier’s call for leadership changes. Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull, the alternate players’ representative, said, “I agree with everything Napheesa said. This is an important moment for our league, and changes must be made”.[5][6]

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Elena Voren is a senior journalist and Tech Section Editor with 8 years of experience focusing on AI ethics, social media impact, and consumer software. She is recognized for interviewing industry leaders and academic experts while clearly distinguishing opinion from evidence-based reporting. She earned her B.A. in Cognitive Science from the University of California, Berkeley (2016), where she studied human-computer interaction, AI, and digital behavior. Elena’s work emphasizes the societal implications of technology, ensuring readers understand both the practical and ethical dimensions of emerging tools. She leads the Tech Section at Faharas NET, supervising coverage on AI, consumer software, digital society, and privacy technologies, while maintaining rigorous editorial standards. Based in Berlin, Germany, Elena provides insightful analyses on technology trends, ethical AI deployment, and the influence of social platforms on modern life.

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Editorial Timeline

Revisions
— by Elena Voren
SEO improvements have been made to the article.
— by Howayda Sayed
Enhanced quote attribution with verified outlets
— by Howayda Sayed
Strengthened the lead with clear event context
— by Howayda Sayed
Added secondary and supporting related sources
— by Howayda Sayed
Updated and optimized the headline for clarity
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Initial publication.

Correction Record

Accountability
— by Howayda Sayed
  1. Verify all quoted remarks against full transcripts or video recordings from the October 3 news conference in Las Vegas to ensure precision.
  2. Clearly state the date and venue for key events—Collier’s cancellation announcement and Engelbert’s denial—to enhance transparency.
  3. Attribute each statement to its original source (ESPN, Axios, SI, CBS Sports) rather than secondary summaries for stronger authority.
  4. Provide brief background on current collective bargaining negotiations to contextualize the dispute.
  5. Note Collier’s position as vice president of the WNBPA to explain her leadership role within the players’ union.
  6. Track any follow-up statements or rescheduled meetings and update the article promptly.

FAQ

Why did Collier cancel the meeting?

Public disagreements reportedly damaged their relationship.

How does Engelbert feel about the situation?

Engelbert is disheartened but seeks to rebuild trust.

Who supports Collier's criticisms?

Many players across the league, including Clark.