Unmatched co-founder and Ladies’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 interested by how me and & Stewie of all individuals are conspiring to power a lockout that will lead to much less cash year-round for WNBA gamers??” Collier’s post on X learn.
The submit she responded to urged that Collier and Stewart, who can be a co-founder of Unmatched 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 interested by how me and & Stewie of all individuals are conspiring to power a lockout that will lead to much less cash year-round for WNBA gamers??🧐😂😂😂 https://t.co/jOiF5TRiAB
— 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 chance proper now.”
Lately a number of gamers, together with Stewart, have mentioned negotiations haven’t gone how they needed.
“Completely pissed off,” Stewart informed reporters after shootaround on July 3. “Anytime you commute, you are not anticipating to listen to that ‘sure’ on the primary [proposal], however you are anticipating to have a dialog. They type of simply ignored the whole lot we mentioned.”
Each Collier and Stewart informed ESPN that their work for Unmatched 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 completely different. The issues we will take from Unmatched 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. Folks had been continuously taking note of it … Whether or not it is Phee or me or another person at Unmatched, we perceive that is the usual now. That is what we count on once we come again to the W.”
At Unmatched, they paid athletes a mean wage of $220,000, offered childcare and a multi-year tv take care of Turner. Gamers additionally acquired fairness within the league.
They had been adamant that they didn’t time the launch of Unmatched, which started in January, to coincide with CBA negotiations.
“The fantastic thing about being within the gamers affiliation, we’re right here for what’s finest for the gamers. And Unmatched is what’s finest for the gamers … Even not directly, not simply the gamers which can be enjoying for us, we’re serving to out all gamers,” Collier informed ESPN in Might. “That’s the level of the gamers affiliation. So we really assist. It isn’t a juggling act, it is really complementary.”
She continued: “I actually do not even perceive that viewpoint [of a conflict]. As a result of once more, although we solely make use of a specific amount of gamers, we have an effect on the entire gamers. I really feel prefer it’s a bonus greater than a battle of curiosity. I do not even know what the battle can be. We’re making everybody more cash.”