Lynx’s Napheesa Collier walks back Cathy Engelbert criticism with sneaky jab at Donald Trump

Despite her past criticism of WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier has walked back her critiques while seemingly taking a shot at President Donald Trump.

Speaking to NPR, Collier was asked about her past comments about Engelbert. She previously called Engelbert “the worst leadership in the world,” but she has walked that back.

“Thinking about the state of the world right now, I think that’s a little dramatic,” Collier said, seemingly taking a swipe at President Trump.

She went on to elaborate that she believes “it was something that needed to happen,” as it helped push the CBA negotiations along.

The new WNBA CBA after Lynx star Napheesa Collier’s comments about Cathy Engelbert

After months of negotiating, the WNBA and WNBPA agreed to a seven-year CBA in March 2026. Collier’s comments about Engelbert ran the risk of furthering the tensions, but the two sides worked out a deal.

The biggest change was in the salary cap. It jumped from $1.5 million to $7 million, proving that owners believe in the WNBA’s growth and the players.

Additionally, younger players will be able to earn bigger contracts faster than ever, and the maximum salary is projected to rise to $2.4 million by 2032. The average salary is $583,000 in 2026, and that’s expected to eclipse $1 million by 2032 as well. The minimum, meanwhile, is between $270,000 to $300,000, depending on how many years a player has played. That figure is expected to rise in the same timeframe to between $340,000 to $380,000.

There will also be an increase in games during the regular season. Currently, WNBA teams play 44 games every season. That is expected to grow to 50 during the 2027 season, and it will increase by two more from 2029 to 2032.

The new WNBA CBA is full of promise for the players. They will be rewarded more than ever as the product continues to soar in popularity. Collider, despite her polarizing comments, was a driving force in getting a new CBA.

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