2025 WNBA Off-Season

[GamecockFam]

I wonder what incentives are given to refs and the WNBA front office. It seems to me that there is a misalignment.

I would campaign as part of CBA agreements that season end bonuses for refs and the president are tied to in-game player injury rates (which result in players missing games) being below a specific threshold determined by a third party. I think that would help in many ways, such as providing enough rest between games, reducing physicality during games, modifying rules to minimize injuries, interpreting rules with preventing player injury in mind, etc.

 

[BRS24]

Per Skim Milkey (didn't want to kludge up the thread with > 1 twitter link):

"Weaponizing the Caitlin Clark fanbase is a rather smart and good move by Napheesa."

"Napheesa uniting Paige Beuckers fans, Angel Reese fans, and Caitlin Clark fans against the WNBA will likely forever change the WNBA forever.This day will be looked back on as hopefully the date where positive change started to occur."

On edit - the masterclass of uniting the Angel vs Caitlin and Paige vs Caitlin fanbases, is, chef's kiss.

 

[Stagnant]

Methinks Englebert is forgetting who makes the $$ in the league, and claiming that CC only got her sponsorships because of the W? Wooo weee.

It seems like a private conversation. Cathy would never have had the guts to say that publicly.

 

[BRS24]

I wonder what incentives are given to refs and the WNBA front office. It seems to me that there is a misalignment.

I would campaign as part of CBA agreements that season end bonuses for refs and the president are tied to in-game player injury rates (which result in players missing games) being below a specific threshold determined by a third party. I think that would help in many ways, such as providing enough rest between games, reducing physicality during games, modifying rules to minimize injuries, interpreting rules with preventing player injury in mind, etc.

Re Phee's injury, I agreed that the tip was before the contact. Now, the contact afterwards? I'm not here to litigate it at all. However, when there is a significant injury and/or controversy, it seemed a bit odd to have the same team of refs doing the next game.

 

[BRS24]

It seems like a private conversation. Cathy would never have had the guts to say that publicly.

Perhaps it was, however if this is what Cathy is saying in private, there's no good faith in any negotiations, as those things shouldn't have been said to a player. Another executive, perhaps. This crystalizes what some are saying about Cathy's and the general leadership right now. There's no way I could work for a boss like that.

 

[Geew1992]

 

[aceboon]

it's been pretty obvious over the past 12-15 months by her actions and interviews that Cathy resented CC's popularity, she was the biggest threat to upsetting the current pay structure. Phee's comments has all of the stanbases uniting in 1 to form voltron now to get Cathy out of here. Enjoy these last few games because it might be awhile before we see WNBA games again soon unless a last ditch effort is made with all of these new TV deals ready to kick in.

 

[BRS24]

And a random thought here about the relationship between Phee and Cathy. Phee managed to pull off a successful offseason league, allowing players to stay stateside and play, and this year there are two more teams, more sponsors, a pool of backup players (I think?), and I'd bet $1 that Cathy is not happy at how successful Unrivaled was last winter, and how it's grown. IMHO.

 

[Bigboote]

Methinks Englebert is forgetting who makes the $$ in the league, and claiming that CC only got her sponsorships because of the W? Wooo weee.

Caitlin should thank the WNBA for her ability to collect endorsements? Caitlin was a big deal before she was part of the WNBA; she'd be making plenty even without Cathy Engelbert.

"Physical play doesn't cause injuries." I'm surprised Pheesa could keep a straight face relating that gem.

 

[TheFarmFan]

I am shocked that Phee was this hostile in her exit interview.

Preach Queen Phee! I am 1000 percent behind this.

 

[Stagnant]

I didn’t watch unrivaled. But it seems like season one was a success. They added more players and more teams.

 

[WFFL]

Methinks Englebert is forgetting who makes the $$ in the league, and claiming that CC only got her sponsorships because of the W? Wooo weee.

yet it was crazy to think Napheesa was trying to drive a lockout/strike seeing as though her husband was the owner of unrivaled ....doesn't seem to crazy now as she brought up convos from almost a year ago.

 

[Geew1992]

 

[BRS24]

yet it was crazy to think Napheesa was trying to drive a lockout/strike seeing as though her husband was the owner of unrivaled ....doesn't seem to crazy now as she brought up convos from almost a year ago.

Don’t believe so. Phee wants both the W and Unrivaled to succeed. The former is bigger and has a market opposed to all the other Hoop leagues, pro and college. Unrivaled is there in winter for those that don’t or can’t go overseas.

 

[Basingstoke]

I am shocked that Phee was this hostile in her exit interview.

I would substitute "forthright and honest" for "hostile." If Engelbert said the things that Phee referenced, I think that it's reflective of the league's of a league attitude that doesn't value their most valuable human assets. I'm afraid that it's going to be a difficult road ahead in negotiating a new CBA, and the league isn't doing itself any favors in trying to win fans over to their side.

 

[cancontent]

I am shocked that Phee was this hostile in her exit interview.

I've just seen clips from it, and after what I heard, I'm not. Some of the commissioner's responses seem really the deaf, which is disappointing.

 

[cancontent]

I would substitute "forthright and honest" for "hostile." If Engelbert said the things that Phee referenced, I think that it's reflective of the league's of a league attitude that doesn't value their most valuable human assets. I'm afraid that it's going to be a difficult road ahead in negotiating a new CBA, and the league isn't doing itself any favors in trying to win fans over to their side.

The comment about Clark being "grateful" to have the WNBA to give her access to the reach she has. Really??????

 

[bballnut90]

Per Skim Milkey (didn't want to kludge up the thread with > 1 twitter link):

"Weaponizing the Caitlin Clark fanbase is a rather smart and good move by Napheesa."

"Napheesa uniting Paige Beuckers fans, Angel Reese fans, and Caitlin Clark fans against the WNBA will likely forever change the WNBA forever.This day will be looked back on as hopefully the date where positive change started to occur."

On edit - the masterclass of uniting the Angel vs Caitlin and Paige vs Caitlin fanbases, is, chef's kiss.

Good on Phee--that was a well thought out attack at Cathy. I hope this creates a ripple effect as players back her up and putting it all on blast forces the front office into a tough corner. Glad to see this.

 

[Geew1992]

EDD had something to say

 

[WFFL]

Why wait til now to drop these excerpts that Cathy said last year ? Is it another bargaining chip or i mean what's the purpose is my wonder ?If anything this made a league lockout even more viable to the WNBA offices.

 

[Stagnant]

I will be interested to see if Phee is fined or suspended.

 

[WFFL]

Don’t believe so. Phee wants both the W and Unrivaled to succeed. The former is bigger and has a market opposed to all the other Hoop leagues, pro and college. Unrivaled is there in winter for those that don’t or can’t go overseas.

What will you all say next year if all we get in 2026 is unrivaled ? Phee is god for these comments ? I just dont understand the purpose , this is not going to cause any difference in negotiating in good faith one could said these comments could open the door for even more foul play .

 

[GoChips20]

Englebert seemed like a great get coming as CEO of Deloitte in 2019 and I’m not sure I can assess the job she’s done overall without looking back at the details but she’s certainly had her share of public fumbles and bad decisions. The New York dress during Game 5 of the Finals last year was highly embarrassing for the league, the officiating has been inept for years, and the WNBA’s social media has been a disaster which is paramount during a growth period like the league is in now.

This is really bad, though. Nothing Collier said jumps out at me as anything but pierced delivery of overdue truths. The fact she went as far as to disclose private comments the commissioner made show that she’s fallen through the thin ice she was on with players.

I think we’re headed for a lockout and it’s a shame because 1) these women deserve to be paid for the value they’ve created and 2) nothing can kill the league’s momentum more than a missed season.

 

[Vowelguy]

Englebert's handling of the CT Sun has been awful: "You can't sell to the highest bidder, you can't keep the team in-market, and you have to accept 20% less that market value and sell it to the league." I'm surprised the other owners have not been in more of an uproar about that.

 

[WFFL]

"I have the utmost respect for Napheesa Collier and for all the players in the WNBA," Engelbert said in the written statement. "Together, we have all worked tirelessly to transform this league. My focus remains on ensuring a bright future for the players and the WNBA, including collaborating on how we continue to elevate the game.

"I am disheartened by how Napheesa characterized our conversations and league leadership, but even when our perspectives differ, my commitment to the players and to this work will not waver."