"It's personal" - Dawn Staley bluntly assess Napheesa Collier's bold call out of Cathy Engelbert

Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier turned heads last month with her bold callout of WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert during her exit interview. While many have shown their support towards the star since South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley bluntly assessed Collier's comments on Monday.

Staley's remarks were reshared by CBS's Isabel Gonzalez on X (formerly Twitter) as she believed Collier's comments on Engelbert and the WNBA leadership had a "personal" touch.

"It sounds like it's personal in her perspective of the situation. And I think people have to understand they're negotiating," Staley expressed.

Reflecting on Collier’s remarks, Staley acknowledged that negotiations often come with “emotional attachments,” while commending the Lynx forward for stepping up.

"In negotiations, like any other issues that come up, there's always going to be an emotional attachment to it and then there's facts," Staley remarked. "Both of them are playing the sides they need to play. I think it was brave of Phee to step out there and put her name on the line when it comes to where the players stand."

However, Staley also extended an olive branch to Engelbert and appreciated her work as the WNBA Commissioner.

"At the same time, you look at Cathy Engelbert and I don't think there's another commissioner that has accomplished what she has for the state of women's professional basketball. So they're negotiating. It's part of it," Staley said.

With the current CBA now expired, the WNBA and the players’ association are in talks to hammer out a new agreement that will shape the league’s future. However, early discussions have reportedly stalled, with growing concern among players and speculation that a lockout could be on the horizon next season.

Cathy Engelbert claims she's been "in touch" with Napheesa Collier amid public callout

After Napheesa Collier's public callout last month, Cathy Engelbert appeared in front of the media on Oct. 3 before Game 1 of the WNBA Finals. The Commissioner offered her views on the allegations made against her while claiming she was "in touch" with Collier.

"Obviously, I did not make those comments," Engelbert expressed. "There's a lot of inaccuracy out there... and so I think what's most helpful is to focus on, I have been in touch with Napheesa... So I think obviously, a lot of reporting, a lot of inaccuracy about what I said or what I didn't say."

Despite the accusations, Engelbert has remained confident about negotiating the right deal for the players and finding a common ground in the upcoming CBA talks.

Edited by Arian Kashyap