Napheesa Collier on WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert: 'We have the worst leadership in the world'

In a scathing critique of WNBA leadership, Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier directly called out league Commissioner Cathy Engelbert on multiple fronts Tuesday, describing her handling of leaguewide complaints over officiating as “negligence.”Speaking at her end-of-season exit interview, Collier read from a prepared statement as she listed her issues with the league office, describing the WNBA as having “the worst leadership in the world.”“The real threat to our league isn’t money,” Collier said.

In a scathing critique of WNBA leadership, Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier directly called out league Commissioner Cathy Engelbert on multiple fronts Tuesday, describing her handling of leaguewide complaints over officiating as “negligence.”

Speaking at her end-of-season exit interview, Collier read from a prepared statement as she listed her issues with the league office, describing the WNBA as having “the worst leadership in the world.”

“The real threat to our league isn’t money,” Collier said. “It isn’t ratings or even missed calls or even physical play. It’s the lack of accountability from the league office.”

She added, in regard to officiating: “Since I’ve been in the league, you’ve heard the constant concerns about officiating, and it has now reached the levels of inconsistency that plague our sport and undermine the integrity in which it operates. Whether the league cares about the players is one thing, but to also not care about the product we put on the floor is truly self-sabotage.”

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.Brian Kolin / NBAE via Getty Images fileCollier said she asked Engelbert directly about how she would address concerns over referees during an Unrivaled league game this year and quoted her as saying, “Only the losers complain about the refs.”