Minnesota Lynx On SI

A'ja Wilson Reacts to Napheesa Collier's Historic Message to WNBA Commissioner

The four-time WNBA MVP did not hold back when speaking on Collier's statement.

Grant Mona

Sep 4, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) drives against Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) in the first quarter of their game at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images
Sep 4, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) drives against Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) in the first quarter of their game at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images / Candice Ward-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Lynx may have been eliminated earlier than expected in the WNBA Semifinals against the Phoenix Mercury, but Napheesa Collier decided that her exit interview was not going to be standard but rather a full-on message to the league.

Coming from one of the league's superstars and a vice president of the WNBA Player's Association, this is a massive deal. When an MVP-caliber player speaks out with this kind of directness and detail, it forces the league as a whole to look in the mirror.

Collier called out the WNBA's leadership for what she said is the “worst leadership in the world,” blasting WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert for alleged dismissive remarks about player compensation.

The Lynx star received a lot of attention on social media from her peers, but the most significant was when Collier made public allegations that Engelbert said that players should be "on their knees, thanking their lucky stars" and that Caitlin Clark should be "grateful" for the league's new media rights agreement.

A'ja Wilson Chimes In

The four-time WNBA MVP, A'ja Wilson, fresh off winning in the semifinals against the Indiana Fever to advance to yet another WNBA Finals, spoke on Napheesa Collier's comments.

According to Minnesota Lynx on SI's Will Despart, Wilson said, "I had an opportunity to listen to (Napheesa Collier), and I just want to say I was honestly disgusted by the comments that Cathy (Engelbert) made. But at the same time, I'm very appreciative that we have people like Phee in our committee of 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."

She continued to give high praise to Collier, saying, "I'm grateful to have those type of people be able to continue to speak up for us. I'm gonna ride with Phee always, because she knows, obviously she's a business girly, and she has her own stuff going on. But moving forward, we got to continue to continue to stand on business as we talk about this CBA negotiation.”

Wilson and Collier's Battles

Collier and Wilson are two of the most dominant frontcourt players in the WNBA, and they push each other to the limit every time they match up.

Both were top MVP candidates, but Wilson's remarkable ending to the season gave her the edge over the Lynx's face of the franchise.

Wilson led the league with 23.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, while Collier was right there with her, averaging 22.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, leading the Lynx to the top seed in the WNBA.

This is the sitting WNBA MVP and face of the league, A'ja Wilson, essentially co-signing a call for a massive change in the league. If the two best players in women's basketball can link up to demand better treatment, it signals to the league that it is time to get serious in discussions.

Related Articles

Napheesa Collier Goes Scorched Earth on WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert

A'ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier WNBA MVP Odds Change Drastically After Aces-Lynx

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert Responds to Napheesa Collier's Message

Published |Modified
Grant Mona
GRANT MONA

Grant Mona is a multimedia sports journalist based in Los Angeles, covering multiple teams. He is a co-host and producer on The Sporting Tribune Today on The BET Las Vegas, KIRN 670 in Southern California and the Hawaii Sports Radio Network. He formerly played baseball with the University of the Pacific Tigers.

Home/News