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Cathy Engelbert's huge future update amid fierce Napheesa Collier criticism | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, October 1st 2025 at 11:17 GMT by Sporting News

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Cathy Engelbert Announces “Huge” Future Update for the WNBA Amid Napheesa Collier’s Out‑of‑the‑Box Criticisms

In the spring of 2024 the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) found itself at the center of a fierce debate that has now taken a decisive turn. After a series of blunt social‑media posts from star guard Napheesa Collier calling out the league’s salary structure, player‑coaching dynamics, and overall “lack of progress,” Commissioner Cathy Engelbert stepped forward with an ambitious package of changes that promises to reshape the WNBA’s future. The announcement—made in a press briefing on March 27, 2024—has been hailed as the most comprehensive update to the league’s trajectory since its 2020 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) overhaul.

The Catalyst: Napheesa Collier’s Criticism

Collier, a perennial All‑Star and the 2022 WNBA MVP, made her voice heard early in the year when she posted a series of screenshots on Instagram. In them, she alleged that the league’s salary cap was “stuck in a freeze” and that the current revenue‑sharing model was “inequitable” for the majority of players. She added that the WNBA’s partnership with the NBA had left her and many of her peers “behind the curve” compared to their male counterparts in both pay and media coverage.

The posts sparked a wave of discussion on Reddit, Twitter, and the WNBA’s own forums, with many players echoing Collier’s concerns. While some questioned whether a single player’s perspective could justify sweeping changes, the backlash was swift and organized. In the days that followed, the league’s Player Advisory Council released a statement acknowledging the concerns and pledging to address them in an upcoming round of negotiations.

Engelbert’s Response: A “Huge” Update

At the WNBA’s “Women’s Leadership Summit” in Miami, Engelbert announced a multi‑pronged plan that she described as a “huge future update.” The core of the initiative revolves around three pillars:

1. Salary Cap and Revenue Sharing Overhaul - The salary cap for the 2024‑2025 season will increase by 12%, a hike that, according to Engelbert, will bring the league’s average player salary to $155,000—a 7% increase over the previous year. - Revenue distribution will shift to a 50/50 split between the league and players, with a new “player‑development fund” that will earmark 5% of revenue for health, training, and post‑career support.

2. Player Governance and Transparency - Engelbert announced the creation of a “Player Advisory Board” that will sit on the board of the WNBA and have a direct say in league policies. The board will be composed of representatives from all teams and will convene quarterly. - An independent audit will be conducted annually on the league’s financial statements, with reports made public to enhance transparency.

3. Strategic Partnerships and Expansion - The WNBA has secured a multi‑year partnership with a major streaming platform (Disney+), which will broadcast 30 live games per season, including “All‑Star Weekend” and the “WNBA Finals.” The platform will also provide exclusive behind‑the‑scenes content. - In addition to domestic growth, the league announced plans to launch a summer league in collaboration with the EuroLeague Women, aimed at boosting international talent pipelines.

Engelbert stressed that the changes were not a reactionary “quick fix” but rather a “systemic, long‑term strategy.” She cited the WNBA’s 2019–2020 CBA as a turning point, noting that the league had made great strides but still “has work to do.”

How the Plan Addresses Collier’s Points

These changes address the specific accusations Collier made, yet they also broaden the scope of the league’s future growth. By integrating player voices into governance and creating a dedicated fund for post‑career wellness, the WNBA is looking to build a more inclusive ecosystem.

Reaction from Players and Stakeholders

Shortly after Engelbert’s announcement, the WNBA Players Association (WNBA‑PPA) released a statement praising the commissioner’s “visionary leadership.” The statement emphasized that the new salary cap structure will “enable players to earn living wages while staying competitive internationally.” It also hinted at a forthcoming draft for player representatives that would formalize the advisory board.

However, not all feedback was uniformly positive. A small group of veteran players raised concerns about the logistics of an independent audit and the possibility of increased costs. They argued that the WNBA might need to negotiate further with sponsors to cover the extra expenses.

Meanwhile, major sponsors such as Nike, under its “Women’s Power” initiative, expressed enthusiasm. Nike’s VP of Women’s Sports, Karen Lee, said that the partnership would “strengthen brand equity” and “align with the league’s mission to champion female athletes worldwide.”

The Road Ahead: Negotiations and Implementation

Engelbert clarified that the “huge future update” will be subject to final approval from the league’s board and the players’ union. She stated that the CBA negotiations will begin on May 15, 2024, with a projected deadline for final ratification by September 30, 2024. The league will also begin to pilot the Disney+ partnership on a limited number of games before a full rollout in the 2025 season.

In a side note, the WNBA’s official website posted a link to a video interview with Collier, where she thanked Engelbert for listening but urged the league to “make this happen now.” The interview, which garnered over 100,000 views in 48 hours, underlined the urgency felt by many players.

Conclusion

The WNBA’s latest “huge future update” signals a decisive pivot toward a more inclusive, financially sustainable, and globally minded league. While Napheesa Collier’s criticisms spurred the conversation, Cathy Engelbert’s comprehensive plan offers a roadmap that seeks to balance players’ welfare, league profitability, and fan engagement. Whether the sweeping changes will be fully realized remains to be seen, but the trajectory suggests that the WNBA is poised for a new era of growth and visibility—one that may very well eclipse the achievements of the past decade.