The WNBA has descended into absolute chaos this past week. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has responded to Napheesa Collier’s damning statement aimed towards her and the league office during her 2025 season exit interview on Tuesday. Collier called out Engelbert’s leadership in a four-minute pre-written statement on TuesdayGetty“I have the utmost respect for Napheesa Collier and for all the players in the 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 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.”Collier’s stark revelation drew support from around the WNBAThe Minnesota Lynx star opted to start her exit interview with a pre-written statement in which she directed severe criticism toward Engelbert, where she revealed some scathing discourse shared between the pair in conversations throughout the season. “I also asked how she plans to fix the fact that players like Caitlin [Clark], Angel [Reese] and Paige [Bueckers], who are clearly driving massive revenue for the league, are making so little for their first four years,” Collier read. “Her response was, ‘Caitlin should be grateful she makes $16 million off the court because without the platform the WNBA gives her, she wouldn’t make anything…’”Collier added: “In that same conversation, she told me players should be ‘On their knees thanking their lucky stars for the media rights deal I got them…’”“We have the best players in the world. We have the best fans in the world. But right now we have the worst leadership in the world.”The Unrivaled co-founder received a plethora of support from her peers around the league after igniting the WNBA’s civil war, including Reese, Bueckers, and Indiana Fever duo Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham, among many others players – past and present – and coaches.The WNBPA also released a statement in support of the Lynx star, who also happens to be one of the vice presidents, alongside Unrivaled co-founder Breanna Stewart, Alysha Clark, Kelsey Plum and president, Nneka Ogwumike. Engelbert has been on the receiving end of a damning statement from Napheesa Collier, which drew lots of support from around the WNBAGettyCollier’s bombshell statement on Tuesday has dominated headlinesGETTY“Napheesa Collier is an outstanding leader and Officer of this Union,” the WNBPA said in a statement. “When Phee speaks, people listen. “We are confident that her words today speak to the feelings and experiences of many, if not most or all of our members. The leaders of the league and its teams would benefit from listening to her powerful statement. “The players know their value even if the league does not. They are fighting for their legacy and the future of basketball.”Stephen A. Smith called for WNBA leadership change In the same statement, Collier identified that Engelbert had said that “only losers” blame the referees in response to questions over officiating. This is a long-standing debate that spilled over into the Game 3 contest between Minnesota and the Phoenix Mercury, where Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve lost all composure after Collier suffered a lower leg injury, and was subsequently ejected. Following this outburst of emotion directed at the referees and Collier’s statement, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith got in on the act and called for Engelbert to resign.Stephen A. Smith didn’t hold back on the WNBA commissioner, calling for her resignationGetty“Cathy Engelbert, the commissioner of the league… let me say for the record: You should resign. You need to resign. Period,” Smith declared. “When a player, any player… attacks you publicly like that, that weak [explicit] statement commissioner Engelbert gave is not good enough. “Could you imagine a commissioner being called out like that directly? And that timid, tepid statement? She basically provided no defense of herself.”“That was an attack against your leadership, it was an attack against your character,” Smith added. “And that’s the statement you came out with?”“You can’t have her at the negotiating table talking to players. She’s in the way of growth and development. She’s not good for basketball.”According to a report from Sports Business Journal, it is expected that Engelbert, who has been described as “not a relationship builder,” is expected to depart from her position as the commissioner.It seems more likely that this could occur after the collective bargaining agreement negotiations end, with players stating that the current CBA, which dictates their salaries, is vastly outdated. The ongoing strung-out process could yet lead to a WNBA lockout.Whether Engelbert will actually walk away or is forcefully pushed out the door remains to be seen, though player pushback may ultimately force her hand.Stay up to date with the latest from the WNBA across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the news, exclusives, interviews and more.