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Phoenix Mercury’s 86-81 victory in Game 4 in the WNBA semi-final eliminated Minnesota Lynx from PlayOFF battle. A wounded napheesa collier looked from the sidelines when the top seed Lynx’s postal season ended Sunday.
Collier suffered an ankle injury in the final minute of Game 3 in the semi -final series. The judges did not call a mistake against Mercury tip Alyssa Thomas after she came in contact with the Lynx star. The non-call was given a strong reaction from Lynx head trainer Cheryl Reeve.
After a confrontation with officials, Reeve was thrown out and later offered by WNBA for criticizing officials during a news conference after Game.
During its end of the season’s media accessibility on Tuesday, Collier read a prepared statement. Collier, WNBA Players Association Vice President and Unmatched Co-Founder, questioned league management.
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Napheesa Collier was wounded under Game 3 in Minnesota Lynx’s Wnba Playoff game against Phoenix Mercury. (Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
“So first and foremost, I would like to congratulate Mercury for moving on to the final, and I want to be clear, this conversation is not about winning or losing,” Collier began.
“It’s about something much bigger. The real threat to our league is not money. It’s not ratings or even unanswered calls or even physical play. It’s the lack of accountability from the league office.”
Collier also required changes in the way league match has become official.
“Since I have been in the league, you have heard the constant concerns about working, and it has now reached levels of inconsistency that plagues our sport and undermines the integrity in which it works. Whether the league is interested in the health of the players is one thing, but that it is also not interested in the product that we put on the floor is really self -insurance. is missing one of our leaders. ”
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Collier acknowledged that she would not have been healthy enough to take the court, even though Minnesota went on to the next round of the playoffs.
“The league has a buzzword that they have rolled out as speech points for CBA about why they can’t pay the players what we’re worth,” she said.
Napheesa Collier has required changes in the way league match is officiated. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imag images)
“This word is sustainability. But what is really unsustainable is to keep a good product on the floor while allowing officials to lose control of games. Fans see it every night. Trainer, both win and lose, it points out every night in first name and postgame media. Still, leadership just fines and sees the other way.
Collier then remembered an interaction she had with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert in February.
“I sat opposite Cathy (Engelbert) and asked how she planned to tackle the official problems of our league,” Collier said. “Her answer was,” Well, only the losers complain about the judges, “she said.
Injured Minnesota Lynx fronts Napheesa Collier is helped from the field during the second half of Game 3 of the WNBA semi -final against Phoenix Mercury Friday in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
“I also asked how she planned to fix the fact that players like Caitlin [Clark]Angel [Reese] and Paige [Bueckers]Obviously, massive revenue for the league does so little in their first four years. Her answer was, ‘Caitlin should be grateful that she earns $ 16 million from the field, because without the platform that WNBA gives her, she would not earn anything.’
“And in the same conversation, she told me ‘players should be on their knees and thank their lucky stars for the Media Law Agreement as I got them.’ It is the mentality that drives our league from the top.
Shortly after Collier’s news conference, Engelbert dealt with the five-time all-star’s comments.
“I have the greatest respect for Napheesa Collier and for all players in Wnba,” Engelbert said in a statement. “Together, we have all worked tirelessly to transform this league. My focus remains on ensuring a bright future for the players and WNBA, including collaboration on how we continue to raise the game.
“I am discouraged at how Napheesa characterized our conversations and league management, but even when our perspectives are different, my commitment to the players and this work will not hover.”
Collier later admitted that she would probably receive a fine from the league.
“I’m sure they want to finish me,” Collier told journalists. “I mean it seems that everything with freedom of expression is fine now.”
Collier’s comments come as Offseason Veltes, a period that will be focused on whether a new collective negotiation agreement can be reached.
