Something that used to be criticism for Cathy Engelbert has evolved into outright hatred at this point. I am saying it without any exaggeration whatsoever. For a long time, we knew Engelbert and the players (WNBPA) weren’t in the best place; they had opinions that were poles apart, but we, as fans, remained hopeful that a solution would be found. However, everything has taken a turn for the worse since Phee’s fiery revelations. While Engelbert tried to do damage control, her reply only added fuel to the fire…

WNBA legend Candace Parker and Fever’s Aliyah Boston reflected on how the Commissioner was welcomed with loud boos at the Mortgage Matchup Center after Game 4 of the Finals. “It’s tough to lose. It really is tough. But what’s even tougher is to be booed,” Parker said on Post Moves.

Cathy Engelbert was there for the trophy presentation, and a celebratory moment quickly turned embarrassing after even MVP A’ja Wilson mockingly scratched her neck and turned her head as she heard 17,071 people booing.

“But it went through her entire, like she was talking at the beginning to give the championship her trophy. People booed. Then there was a pause, and then she gets to come back up there and give the most outstanding player. Sorry, I’m in college mode. The finals MVP to A’ja. They booed the entire time,” Parker said.

“It was OD,” Boston added. “Wild.” Parker piped in. “That was crazy.” Boston further said, and Parker agreed, “Yeah, the fans. That was crazy.”

Allegedly, Cathy Engelbert said that Caitlin Clark “should be grateful she makes $16 million off the court because, without the WNBA platform, she wouldn’t make anything.” Napheesa Collier also claimed the Commissioner remarked that players “should be on their knees, thanking their lucky stars for the media rights deal.”

Which fan would want their favorite stars to be disrespected like that? Engelbert’s past record with the players hasn’t helped either. We’re referring to the referee-related issues and CBA-related conversations, matters that seem not to be materializing at all.

When asked about the WNBA Commissioner getting booed, Chelsea Gray had said, “When you have great players. You need to treat them like that. And that’s top to bottom.” We’re stuck on the conversation about Caitlin Clark and the league not getting what they deserve. But will this chaos alter everything forever?

Cathy Engelbert and WNBA players’ feud deemed to be a ‘part of the process’

The current optics surrounding the CBA negotiations are that the WNBA and Cathy Engelbert risk losing all their hard-earned momentum. The WNBA has seen unprecedented growth in a short time, and many feel it’s just a bubble waiting to burst. A potential lockout is a major no-no when we discuss the sustainability of the league. While there are plenty of pessimistic views, Cam Johnson thinks all this is a step in the right direction. 

“I think it’s all part of the process of what I would assume is scaling a league. There’s always going to be polls. There’s always going to be ups and downs.” Johnson said on The Young Man and the Three podcast with Sue Bird as a guest.

The NBA star applauded Phee for speaking up and said that “she’s earned the right” to make her demands.

“I mean, the league isn’t that old, and so all of it is newer territory, and all of the expansion is that kind of rough, gritty new territory where everybody’s kind of pushing and shoving to get maximum value of their own. So, at the bottom line. I would say the league is in a good place and heading in the right direction, and these are the types of abrasions that are necessary in that growing process,” Cam Johnson concluded. 

Ultimately, you need to realize that everyone is looking out for themselves. The players want more money in the new CBA. There are questions over what management wants and whether they think raising player salaries is sustainable…

However, if the league falls apart, Cathy Engelbert, the owners, and the NBA will undoubtedly lose money.

The NBA survived a lockout in 2011 (although it was a lot older at the time). Can the WNBA do the same? Whether Cathy Engelbert resigns or not, that is all talk of the future. Currently, she plays a pivotal role and NEEDS to sit down with the WNBPA to sort it all out.