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Napheesa Collier Calls Out WNBA Amid Potential Lockout

The Minnesota Lynx MVP candidate was honest about the state of the WNBA.

Grant Mona

Jul 27, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) prepares to play the Atlanta Dream before the game at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
Jul 27, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) prepares to play the Atlanta Dream before the game at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images / Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

The WNBA and the Women's National Basketball Players Association have been engaged in collective bargaining agreement discussions for quite some time, with a set deadline of October 31st, 2025.

With the league in the best spot it has been in its history, a deal is still far away, with an extension on the deadline date likely.

What Is The Holdup?

Three main issues are being discussed between the WNBA and its players, with the first and most significant one being revenue sharing.

The current CBA began in 2020, when the league provided a 50/50 split on revenue only after the league reaches an annual target. This agreement was made before the WNBA had seen a significant increase in revenue from a new 11-year, $2.2 billion media rights deal.

With record expansion fees, players believe that some of that money should be reflected in their salaries.

Many players have also been outspoken about the benefits and facilities, and a new deal would likely confirm improved benefits, larger rosters, and significantly better working conditions.

For years, the WNBA has not held itself to the same facility standards as other organizations, and players have experienced better conditions while competing in international leagues during the offseason, earning more compensation.

Napheesa Collier Speaks Out

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24)
Aug 24, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) looks on against the Indiana Fever in the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images / Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

MVP candidate Napheesa Collier has had another stellar 2025 season with the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx.

She is averaging 23.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per game while shooting an incredible 54.3 percent from the field and 90.7 percent from the free-throw line.

She spoke out about how the Unrivaled Basketball League has treated its players, providing them with better facilities.

"I think itā€™s just great that weā€™re opening up peopleā€™s eyes to what it should be like. For so long we have been forced to accept less than what we should be owed. Like everyone should have a practice facility, everyone should have access to a gym 24/7, everyone should have privacy when theyā€™re changing and not in front of strangers.ā€

When discussing the CBA negotiations, Collier gave her honest opinions on the current state of the talks.

"It feels like itā€™s kind of same old, same old, weā€™re not making a lot of progressā€¦ itā€™s unfortunate, we obviously want to get a deal done and it feels like the league doesnā€™t have that same urgency and the deadline is quickly approaching, I feel like weā€™re not close right now.ā€

The Lynx have the WNBA's best record at 30 wins and 7 losses and are in first place in the Western Conference and in the entire league.

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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.

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