Engelbert on Collier remarks: 'I have to do better'

LAS VEGAS -- WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said Friday there's enactment to beryllium done to repair relationships with players successful the league, portion adding that determination were "inaccuracies" successful immoderate of the comments attributed to her by Napheesa Collier successful a blistering appraisal earlier this week.

"I was disheartened to perceive that immoderate players consciousness the league and that I personally bash not attraction astir them oregon perceive to them," Engelbert said earlier Game 1 of the WNBA Finals connected Friday night. "If the players successful the 'W' don't consciousness appreciated and worth from the league, we person to bash amended and I person to bash better."

In wide-ranging comments, Engelbert said officiating volition beryllium reviewed this offseason by a caller "state of the game" committee. The commissioner besides said the league and the players' national person meetings scheduled for adjacent week to sermon a caller corporate bargaining agreement. Engelbert besides said she plans to stay arsenic commissioner aft a CBA is finalized.

As for comments that Collier said Engelbert made successful backstage conversations astir Caitlin Clark needing the WNBA to win financially, the commissioner denied saying them.

"Caitlin has been a transformational subordinate successful this league. She's she's been a large typical of the game," Engelbert said. "She's brought successful tens of millions of caller fans to the game."

Engelbert said she's talked to Collier, the Minnesota Lynx prima who said Tuesday that the league has "the worst enactment successful the world" and a commissioner who lacks accountability. The 2 volition conscionable adjacent week, either successful idiosyncratic oregon virtually, Engelbert said.