Minnesota Linx Star Nafais Koller On Tuesday, he used the press conference of his team at the end of the season Read a long statement This was the leadership of Wnba, in particular, the commissioner Katie EngelbertAs a result of the explosion at the end of October, the league collective agreement with its players expires at the end of October.
“The real threat of our league is not money, not assessments, not missed calls or even physical game. This is a lack of responsibility in the League office, ”said Collier, senior member of the Wnba Assn players. Executive Council.
“Since I was in the league, you have heard constant concern about refereeing, and now it has reached the level of inconsistency that pursue our sport and undermine the integrity in which it acts. Regardless of whether the league cares the health of players, is one thing, but not to take care of the product on the floor really self-equipment. ”
Kollier damaged the ankle when she got confused with the forward of Phoenix Mercury Alissa Thomas at the end of the fourth quarter of the 3th series of the Wnba Wnba series on Friday. The play was not caused by the foul.
The coach from Minnesota Cheryl Rive had to be restrained by opposing the officials of the game after not calling, and then made a two -minute pompous speech about the performance of the duty to reporters without question.
Neither the ring nor the Rive were available for losing at the end of the Lynx season on Sunday-Collier due to injury and Rive, because it was removed from WNBA for her “behavior and comments” during and after the game 3.
Also on Tuesday morning, several media reported that Rive was fined $ 15,000. Wnba did not announce a fine that sport first reported.
Collier seemed to solve these problems and much more during her statement on Tuesday morning.
“The League has a fashionable word that they turned up as conversational points for CBA about why they cannot give the players what we cost. This word is “stability,” said Collier, who is a co-founder Unrivaled Women's basketball league 3 to 3.
“But what is really unstable is to maintain a good product on the floor, allowing officials to lose control of games. Fans see him every night. Coaches, both a win and loss, point to him every night in preliminary and posthean media, but leadership simply issues fines and looks the other way. They ignore the problems that each inside the game directs, which is fixed. This is negligence. “
Then the crock spoke in detail about the discussion, which she speaks with Engelbert in February, when the commissar allegedly struck Colliera's fears about the refereeing and wages of the players. In addition, the crock also criticized Engelbert for not going to her while she was dealing with injuries this season.
“Instead, the only information about her No. 2, telling my agent that she does not believe that the physical game contributes to injuries,” said Collier. “This leads to fury, and this is a great example of a deaf, neglect, which our leaders always use.”
Shortly after the stain finished performing, Engelbert published a statement via Wnba.
“I really respect Naphesa Collier and to all players in Wnba,” Engelbert said. “Together we all worked tirelessly to transform this league. My attention remains to ensure a bright future for players and WNBA, including cooperation with how we continue to increase the game. I am disappointed with how Nafisa characterizes our conversations and leadership in the league, but even when our prospects differ, my commitment to players and this work will not be Vagera. ”
Wnba refused to comment further before the time.
Several players went to X to show their support to the collier and the feelings that she expressed. Sparks Star and 11-year-old Veteran Wnba Dearica Hamby wrote“@Pheesseces, thanks for your courage !!!!!!!!”
Forward Liberty New York Isabelle Harrison wrote“Standing with Fi.”
Cooperative writer Tracy Brown and Associated Press contributed to this report.
