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The victory of Phoenix Mercury 86-81 in match 4 of the semi-finals of the WNBA eliminated the Lynx of Minnesota from the link in playoffs. An injured Napheesa collar has watched since the touchline while the race for the best classified lynx season ended on Sunday.
Necklace underwent an ankle injury at the end of the closure of match 3 of the semi-final series. The referees did not call a fault against the Mercury Alyssa Thomas striker after contacting the Lynx star. The non-appeal caused a strong reaction from the Lynx head coach, Cheryl Reeve.
After a confrontation with officials, Reeve was ejected and sentenced to a fine by the WNBA for criticizing the officials at a post-match press conference.
During his media availability at the end of the season on Tuesday, Collier read a prepared statement. Necklace, the vice-president of the WNBA Players Association and unrivaled co-founder, challenged the leadership of the League.
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Naphesesa Collier was injured in match 3 of the minnesota lynx WNBA eliminatory match against the Phoenix Mercury. (Jordan Johnson / NBAE via Getty Images)
“So, first of all, I would like to congratulate the Mercury for having advanced in the final, and I want to be clear, this conversation does not consist in winning or losing,” started necklace.
“This is something much bigger. The real threat to our league is not money. It is not notes or even missed calls or even a physical game. It is the lack of responsibility of the League office.”
Necklace also demanded modifications to the way in which the League matches are officiated.
“Since I have been in the league, you have heard the constant concerns about arbitration, and this has now reached inconsistency levels that afflict our sport and undergo the integrity in which it operates. That the League cares about the health of players is one thing, the year after the year, which does not care about the lack of responsibility for our responsibility.
The WNBA penalizes the lynx coach, Cheryl Reeve, with a historic fine after the playoff match, ejection: report
Necklace admitted that it would not have been good health to take the court even if the minnesota was going on the next round of the playoffs.
“The League has a fashionable word they have deployed as a discussion points for the ABC to explain why they cannot pay the players what we are worth,” she said.
Napheesa Collier asked for modifications to the way in which the League matches are officiated. (Trevor Ruszkowski / Images Imagn)
“This word is sustainability. But what is really not durable is to keep a good product on the ground while allowing officials to lose control of the games. Fans see it every night. The coaches, both won and losers, emphasize it every night in pre-match and post-match problems. However, leadership is only repaired.
Necklace then recalled an interaction that she had with the WNBA commissioner, Cathy Engelbert, in February.
“I sat in front of Cathy (Engelbert) and asked how she planned to solve the official problems of our league,” said collar. “His answer was:” Well, only the losers complain about the referees “, she said.
The Minnesota Lynx striker Napheesa Collier is helped out of the field in the second half of the 3-finals WNBA semi-finals against the Phoenix Mercury on Friday in Phoenix. (AP photo / Ross D. Franklin)
“I also asked how she planned to repair the fact that players like Caitlin [Clark]Angel [Reese] and Paige [Bueckers]which clearly lead to massive income for the league, do so little during their first four years. Her answer was: “Caitlin should be grateful that she earns $ 16 million on the field, because without the platform that the WNBA gives her, she would do nothing”.
“And in this same conversation, she said to me:” The players should be on their knees by thanking their lucky stars for the agreement on the rights of the media that I obtained them. “It is the mentality that stimulates our summit league.”
Shortly after the necklace’s press conference, Engelbert addressed the All-Star remarks five times.
“I have the greatest respect for Napheesa Collier and for all WNBA players,” said Engelbert in a press release. “Together, we have all worked tirelessly to transform this league. My goal remains on the assurance of a bright future for players and WNBA, including collaboration on how we continue to raise the game.
“I am discouraged by the way Napheesa characterized our conversations and our leadership of the League, but even when our prospects differ, my commitment to players and this work will not vacillate.”
Necklace later conceded that it would probably receive a fine of the league.
“I am sure they will tell me,” said collar to journalists. “I mean, it seems that everything that has freedom of expression is condemned to a fine now.”
The collar’s comments arise as the offseason is looming, a period which will focus on the question of whether a new collective agreement can be concluded.
