Unequalled co-founder and Girls’s Nationwide Basketball Gamers Affiliation Vice President Napheesa Collier took to social media on Saturday afternoon to defend her function in each leagues after an accusation that she and Breanna Stewart have a battle of curiosity went viral.
“So let me get this straight…. Whereas everybody else was having fun with fireworks, you had been fascinated about how me and & Stewie of all persons are conspiring to power a lockout that may end in much less cash year-round for WNBA gamers??” Collier’s submit on X learn.
The submit she responded to steered that Collier and Stewart, who can also be a co-founder of Unequalled and is the president of the WNBPA, couldn’t negotiate the upcoming CBA in “good religion” due to the monetary advantages they’d obtain if the WNBA had been to enter a lockout.
So let me get this straight….
Whereas everybody else was having fun with fireworks, you had been fascinated about how me and & Stewie of all persons are conspiring to power a lockout that may end in much less cash year-round for WNBA gamers??đ§đđđ https://t.co/jOiF5TRiAB
â napheesa collier (@PHEEsespieces) July 5, 2025
Again in March, Collier informed CBS Sports activities’ “We Want To Speak Now” that “nobody needs” a lockout, however the gamers are “ready for any risk proper now.”
Just lately a number of gamers, together with Stewart, have stated negotiations haven’t gone how they needed.
“Completely annoyed,” Stewart informed reporters after shootaround on July 3. “Anytime you travel, you are not anticipating to listen to that ‘sure’ on the primary [proposal], however you are anticipating to have a dialog. They form of simply ignored all the pieces we stated.”
Each Collier and Stewart informed ESPN that their work for Unequalled and the WNBPA doesn’t create a battle of curiosity, however as an alternative helps spotlight areas that want enchancment.
“[It’s not a conflict] but,” Stewart informed ESPN. “I believe it is just a bit bit totally different. The issues we will take from Unequalled are the TV deal and the way large and unimaginable that was, but additionally the numbers behind it like having three video games per week. Individuals had been continually being attentive to it … Whether or not it is Phee or me or another person at Unequalled, we perceive that is the usual now. That is what we anticipate after we come again to the W.”
At Unequalled, they paid athletes a mean wage of $220,000, supplied childcare and a multi-year tv cope with Turner. Gamers additionally obtained fairness within the league.
They had been adamant that they didn’t time the launch of Unequalled, which started in January, to coincide with CBA negotiations.
“The great thing about being within the gamers affiliation, we’re right here for what’s greatest for the gamers. And Unequalled is what’s greatest for the gamers … Even not directly, not simply the gamers which might be enjoying for us, we’re serving to out all gamers,” Collier informed ESPN in Could. “That’s the level of the gamers affiliation. So we truly assist. It isn’t a juggling act, it is truly complementary.”
She continued: “I truthfully do not even perceive that viewpoint [of a conflict]. As a result of once more, despite the fact that we solely make use of a certain quantity of gamers, we have an effect on all the gamers. I really feel prefer it’s a bonus greater than a battle of curiosity. I do not even know what the battle could be. We’re making everybody more cash.”