Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson is the latest WNBA star to speak out against league commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
Wilson condemned Engelbert on Tuesday after the four-time MVP led the Aces to a series-clinching overtime victory against the Indiana Fever to lift her team to the WNBA Finals.
During her postgame press conference, Wilson expressed her support of Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier, who delivered scathing remarks against Engelbert earlier in the day.
“I had an opportunity to listen to [Napheesa Collier], and I just want to say I was honestly disgusted by the comments Cathy made,” said Wilson. “But at the same time, I’m very appreciative that we have people like Phee in our Players Association representing us, because that’s where we’re going to have to continue to make the push to stand on what we believe in. I’ll ride with Phee always. … We’ve got to continue to stand on business as we talk about this CBA negotiation.”
Collier, during her exit interview following the Lynx’s playoff ouster against the Phoenix Mercury, detailed an eye-opening conversation she had with Engelbert in February. Collier claims she asked Engelbert about how the league executive “planned to fix” the fact that the WNBA underpays big names on rookie deals like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers relative to the revenue they help generate for the league.
According to the Lynx star, Engelbert replied by saying Clark “should be grateful” that she has earned millions of dollars in revenue off the court thanks to the WNBA and added that without the league, Clark “wouldn’t make anything.”
Collier also alleged that Engelbert said WNBA players should be “on their knees thanking their lucky stars” for the media rights deal the 60-year-old helped secure for the league.
With waning support from both players and coaches alike, it’s no surprise that Engelbert is reportedly on her way out as WNBA commissioner after holding the job for six seasons.
Clark has called Engelbert out in the past over pay issues. Many people pointed out that Collier’s alleged comments about Clark were inaccurate, as Clark had several endorsement deals already in place before she was even drafted by the Fever.
The current collective bargaining agreement between the WNBA and its players is set to expire on Oct. 31, 2025. Engelbert has been an unpopular figure among both fans and players. The alleged remarks she made about Clark are only going to hurt her reputation further.
