The Crumbling Leadership Of The WNBA

"Year after year, the only thing that remains consistent is a lack of accountability from our leaders."

Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx is one of the brightest stars the WNBA has. During a post-game press conference after the Phoenix Mercury advanced to the Finals, Napheesa made a statement on behalf of the poor leadership that is currently managing the league. "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."

Napheesa took it upon herself to highlight the consistent negatives that are plaguing the WNBA. Unreasonable officiating, unfair pay, unreasonable fines, and an overall lack of positive leadership in a sprouting league. When Napheesa had a conversation with the WNBA commissioner on this same topic, Cathy Engelbert, she received a disappointing response. Napheesa recites this conversation by stating, "I also asked how she planned to fix the fact that players like Caitlin, Angel, and Paige who are clearly driving massive revenue for the league are making so little for their first four years. Her response was, 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."

Contrary to Cathy's response, players such as Caitlin, Angel, and Paige were already making money during college, before joining the WNBA. Partnerships were reeling in money just like they are now. The WNBA may have enhanced those opportunities, but it did not birth them.

Napheesa's statement truly defines the concerns and inconsistency that players of the WNBA face on the daily. Her courageous statement has sparked heat from Cathy Engelbert, while fans and other members of the WNBA find Napheesa's speech to be relatable and reasonable. It seems as though the leaders of the league are stuck in a generation where women's sports are not as defined. Yet, more than ever, the WNBA is facing a surge of more audience viewers and fans in general. Allowing these issues to go unresolved would further resonate with the outdated perceptions of the WNBA and force players to endure even more alarming actions from their leaders.

Sources:

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8AjPAYf/ (Napheesa Collier's Statement)