WNBA commissioner Engelbert vows to "do better" after Collier criticism

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said on Friday the league "has to do better" to make players feel valued after sharp criticism from Minnesota Lynx's Napheesa Collier, while vowing to repair trust as the deadline for contentious collective bargaining talks looms.

Collier, a five-time All-Star and vice president of the players' union, voiced her criticism after a controversial no-call in the final minute of the Lynx's Game 3 semi-final against Phoenix Mercury, accusing the league of a "tone-deaf, dismissive" approach to player concerns.

"If the players don't feel appreciated and valued by the league, then we have to do better," Engelbert told reporters ahead of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between the Las Vegas Aces and the Mercury.

"We know how great these players are on and off the court, how much they mean to our league, our fans, and our communities. If they don't feel that, I will do everything I can to change that."

Engelbert said she and Collier were set to meet next week, but disputed some of Collier's characterisations, including claims she told players they should be "on their knees thanking their lucky stars" for the league's media rights deal.

"There's a lot of inaccuracy out there … I highly respect the players," Engelbert said. "There's a lot of emotion and passion right now because we’re in collective bargaining."

The dispute comes at a pivotal moment for the 29-year-old league, with its collective bargaining agreement set to expire on Oct. 31 and negotiations with the players' association growing increasingly acrimonious.

Players are pushing for higher salaries and benefits amid rising interest fuelled by new television contracts and emerging stars such as Indiana Fever sharpshooter Caitlin Clark.

Engelbert said