Lynx, Liberty reflect on Napheesa Colliers infamous speech as WNBA leadership change looms

MINNEAPOLIS — Napheesa Collier’s intention was to ensure players’ voices were heard when she took the podium for her exit interview at the end of last season. Looking back now, she considers her mission a success. Collier blasted WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert as “the worst leadership in the world” during a nearly 4 ¹/₂-minute statement. Collier’s condemnation seemed to be a watershed moment regarding Engelbert’s future. There had been preceding whispers regarding Engelbert’s lack of relationship with star players.Sabrina Ionescu months earlier had said she had a better relationship with NBA commissioner Adam Silver than his W counterpart. But Collier’s powerful words cut like a knife and created wounds too deep to heal. The Lynx star and Women’s National Basketball Players Association first vice president became the face of the resistance. “I really started paying attention to Phee as a trailblazer when she went into the presser that one day and had a little speech and it kind of went viral,” Olivia Miles recalled Friday before the Liberty’s 93-81 win over the Lynx.

“I had known the fight, but I didn’t realize how intentional and how impactful it had to be to really make change and she was one of the first people who kind of spoke up at the time and it was really, really cool.” The WNBA announced Sept.4 that Engelbert would be retiring at the end of this year after seven years at the helm.

She helped navigate the league through a global pandemic that threatened the stability of even the most established men’s professional sports leagues.She was at the bargaining table for two transformational CBAs. “Being commissioner of a league that is growing immensely year by year has to be a tough job but she deserves her flowers,” Breanna Stewart said.

“Especially with the incredible CBA that we’ve been able to accomplish, she was a part of that, too, and I think sometimes people forget that.But she was dealt a toug...