The WNBA Finals opened Friday night in Las Vegas with history already made. For the first time, the championship will be decided in a best-of-seven series. The Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury took the floor in front of a sold-out crowd, each team embodying the league’s theme of resilience this season.
But the pregame spotlight fell away from the players and onto the commissioner’s podium. Cathy Engelbert entered Game 1 not only as the league’s leader but also as the subject of mounting criticism, with tensions between the WNBA and its players spilling into public view.
The backdrop was one of both triumph and turbulence. On the court, the league is seeing record viewership, surging merchandise sales, and unprecedented buzz around its young stars. Off the court, it is confronting fractures in player trust, looming labor disputes, and frustration over injuries and officiating.
Engelbert’s remarks reflected both the progress and the strain. Instead of a celebratory tone, she spent much of her time addressing accusations of tone-deaf leadership, questions about the upcoming collective bargaining agreement, and doubts about whether the WNBA is keeping pace with its rapid growth.
WNBA Rift With Players
The sharpest criticism came earlier this week from Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, who declared that the WNBA currently has “the worst leadership in the world.” The comments highlighted a growing disconnect between players and the league office.
Engelbert admitted the words carried a personal sting but stressed she was committed to repairing relationships.
“I was disheartened to hear that some players feel the league and that I personally do not care about them or listen to them,” Engelbert said. “If the players in the ‘W’ don’t feel appreciated and valued by the league, then we have to do better and I have to do better.”
She added that she would begin that process directly with Collier.
“Yeah, I think it starts with Napheesa and I,” Engelbert said. “We’ll sit down and chat. I’ve also communicated with a lot of other players this week, who have been great… I feel confident that we can repair any loss of trust.”
WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement Looms
Beyond the immediate friction, the future of the league hangs on its next collective bargaining agreement. The current CBA expires on Oct. 31, and negotiations have become a focal point for both sides. Players want sweeping gains in salary, revenue sharing, and health protections, while owners are weighing long-term financial models.
Engelbert said the league is pressing to meet the deadline but is prepared for an extension if necessary.
“On the October 31st deadline, we’re working really hard,” Engelbert said. “We have a couple meetings next week. We had one this week. While I hope we make the October 31st deadline, and that is a real deadline from that perspective, we have extended deadlines in the past. I feel confident that we can get a deal done, but if not, I think we could do an extension.”
She emphasized that the league’s proposals already aim to significantly change compensation.
“We continue to meet and have important conversations with the Players Association,” Engelbert said. “We want much of the same things that the players want. (We) want to significantly, and I mean significantly, increase their salary and benefits, while also supporting the long-term growth and viability of the WNBA.”
Still, she cautioned that the league has to balance near-term investment with sustainability.
“I think it’s all about balancing the significant increase in salaries and benefits with the long-term viability of the league,” Engelbert said. “That’s the balance — returning every dollar we possibly can to the players, while incentivizing investment from owners.”
#WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert re-addresses Napheesa Collier’s comments and other players concerns, with her opening statement pic.twitter.com/9d4gCVbv1u
— WillieGRamireZ (@WillieGRamirez) October 3, 2025
WNBA Stars and the Caitlin Clark Debate
No single player embodies both the promise and the tension of this moment more than Caitlin Clark. In just her second season with the Indiana Fever, Clark has fueled historic ratings and a surge in attendance. But her base salary remains modest compared to the attention and revenue she drives.
Collier raised the disparity directly, pointing to Clark and other young stars as examples of players whose value isn’t being fully reflected in their contracts. Rumors that Engelbert had downplayed Clark’s off-court impact only added to the controversy.
Engelbert rejected those reports, praising Clark’s influence on the league.
“Obviously, I did not make those comments,” Engelbert said. “Caitlin has been a transformational player in this league. She’s been a great representative of the game. She’s brought in tens of millions of new fans to the game. I’m proud of what she’s put on the court. Unfortunately, the injury has held her back from a full season this year.”
Clark, for her part, has preferred to shift the focus away from boardroom disputes.
“I just try to keep my head down, play basketball, and represent the game the right way,” Clark said earlier this season.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert on the alleged comments regarding Caitlin Clark:
— Isabel Gonzalez (@cisabelg) October 3, 2025
“Obviously I did not make those comments. Caitlin has been a transformational player in this league.” pic.twitter.com/vDotw89cEo
WNBA Officiating and Injuries Under Pressure
Another issue testing the league’s relationship with players is the rise in injuries and concerns about officiating. Studies have shown a marked increase in injuries this season, including devastating knee and ACL setbacks. Players have linked the trend to inconsistent officiating in a league that has become faster and more physical.
Engelbert said the criticism is valid and that the WNBA must act.
“As it relates to officiating and game play on the court, we hear the concerns. We take them seriously,” Engelbert said. “Our game is faster, featuring more talent. The game is more competitive than ever before. With that evolution, game rules and officiating has to keep pace.”
I asked Cathy Engelbert pregame about how the #WNBA needs to be prepared to address its own injury epidemic. Cc to Lucas Seehafer and his injury data base @TheIXBasketball. Here’s part of her answer. pic.twitter.com/oR2HYCYjAf
— Jackie Powell (she/her) (@ClassicJpow) October 4, 2025
She said a new “state-of-the-game” task force will bring players and coaches into those decisions for the first time.
“I think it’s pretty clear that we’re misaligned currently on what our stakeholders want from officiating,” Engelbert said. “We have heard loud and clear that we have not lived up to that needed alignment and attention, and change is needed to serve the WNBA to the level of excellence that is not currently being met.”
She added that improving player safety will be at the center of that work.
“Obviously, injuries are the worst part of sports, in my view, especially injuries that occur due to the physicality,” Engelbert said. “That’s why I said… we have to determine where the players want that line to be, because obviously they want some of that, but obviously we don’t want injuries.”
WNBA Expansion and Leadership
While facing criticism, Engelbert also outlined her priorities for the years ahead. Expansion remains central, with new franchises expected to join the league by 2026.
“Obviously we need to get a collective bargaining agreement done before we will probably have those expansion drafts, as well as the draft lottery,” Engelbert said.
She pointed to community initiatives as proof of the WNBA’s momentum.
“We did this LineEmUp initiative this year where we painted the WNBA three-point line on inner-city courts around the country,” she said. “To see the young girls be able to see role models like the WNBA players… this is all the important stuff of why we need to get this transformational CBA done as soon as we can.”
Speculation about Engelbert’s own job status has surfaced, but she said she has no plans to step down.
“Obviously, I’ve never been a quitter,” Engelbert said. “I’m entering my 40th year, actually this month, in business. Never been a quitter. Never shied away from tough situations… I’m the commissioner of this league, the leader of this league. I think we’ve accomplished a lot, but we have a lot more hard work to do.”
Napheesa Collier on WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert😲
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) September 30, 2025
“Whether the league cares about the health of the players is one thing but to also not care about the product we put on the floor is self sabotage. Year after year, the only thing that remains consistent is a lack of… pic.twitter.com/HYyQom7oQ2
WNBA Future at a Crossroads
As the Finals continue, the league is caught between historic highs and deep internal questions. Engelbert closed her remarks by calling this season a turning point.
“These Finals mark the end of what has been a landmark season for the WNBA,” she said. “A season defined not just by the remarkable play on the court but by the passion, the investment and the belief in what this league can become. There is still much work to do, and we welcome that work because the WNBA has always been about building something bigger than the game itself. We know the best way forward is together.”
The Finals have become more than a battle for a championship. They now serve as a stage for questions about leadership, the role of star power, and the direction of the WNBA itself.
