Overview
- Collier, who blasted WNBA leadership last fall, told NPR her “worst leadership in the world” line about commissioner Cathy Engelbert was “a little dramatic” and said it helped push talks forward.
- She said she stands by speaking out but regretted the personal backlash Engelbert faced, stressing her criticism was aimed at job performance.
- The WNBA and its players union agreed in March 2026 to a seven‑year collective bargaining agreement that lifts the team salary cap from roughly $1.5 million to $7 million and paves the way for higher pay.
- Collier said she has not had a separate conversation with Engelbert about the year‑old comments, though they spoke during marathon negotiations.
- Engelbert previously called the remarks disheartening and disputed parts of Collier’s account, while some coverage cast Collier’s new comments as a political jab, which was interpretation rather than a quote.