The tension between Cathy Engelbert and WNBA players has reached a breaking point — and the commissioner’s latest remarks haven’t helped her case.

As the WNBA Finals tipped off on Friday night, all eyes weren’t just on the court but on the press conference podium. Engelbert, who once stood as the league’s transformative figure, is now facing the biggest credibility crisis of her tenure.

The controversy erupted earlier this week when Napheesa Collier, forward for the Minnesota Lynx, revealed during an interview that Engelbert allegedly told players they should be “on their knees, thanking their lucky stars” for the league’s upcoming $2 billion media rights deal.

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It was a bombshell accusation — one that sent shockwaves across locker rooms, fan spaces, and social media.

When asked to address the claim during her pre-Finals press conference, Engelbert’s response only deepened the distrust.

“There’s inaccuracy in what’s been reported,” Engelbert said, refusing to elaborate on what exactly was inaccurate or in what context her words were used.

Instead of clarifying, Engelbert pivoted toward her own emotional toll.

“I’m a human, too. I have a family. I have two kids who are devastated by these comments,” she said.

The reaction? A wave of disbelief — and anger — from players who expected accountability, not sympathy.

Players feel disrespected and unheard

To the athletes who’ve carried the WNBA through years of underfunding, low pay, and constant battles for recognition, Engelbert’s remarks symbolized something deeper: disrespect.

“Knowing the commissioner who’s supposed to champion us doesn’t respect us is devastating,” one player told ESPN anonymously.

Players like A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart have publicly pushed for fairer pay, better charter travel, and improved resources. Under the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the average WNBA salary remains drastically lower than that of their NBA counterparts — a gap many players view as emblematic of a deeper structural bias.

And now, with the league’s commissioner accused of downplaying player value amid billion-dollar negotiations, trust has evaporated.

A growing disconnect at the top

When Engelbert was appointed in 2019, she was hailed as a business-savvy leader who could bridge the gap between athletes and corporate power. A former CEO at Deloitte, she brought experience, polish, and big ambitions to the WNBA.

Yet, players now accuse her of becoming too corporate — more aligned with sponsors and broadcast partners than with the athletes who built the league’s foundation.

At this year’s All-Star Game, a closed-door meeting between Engelbert and players reportedly ended in frustration. Collier later described it as “fruitless,” saying there was “no real dialogue” or “sense of progress.”

“She’s supposed to be our advocate, but it feels like she’s negotiating against us,” one veteran player told The Athletic.

Social media reacts

On X (formerly Twitter), fans and analysts have been relentless.

Sports journalist Sheryl Swoopes reposted Collier’s comments, writing:

“Players built this league with sweat and sacrifice. They don’t owe anyone gratitude for a deal that finally values their worth.”

Meanwhile, WNBA legend Sue Bird liked a post that read:

“When your commissioner tells players to be grateful instead of being proud — that’s a leadership problem.”

The $2 billion question

The $2 billion media rights deal, reportedly negotiated with ESPN and other networks, was meant to be a victory lap — proof that women’s sports were finally being valued commercially.

Instead, it’s now at the center of a trust crisis.

Players are questioning how much of that windfall will reach their pockets or translate into tangible improvements — like charter flights, better healthcare, or year-round salaries.

While Engelbert has highlighted the “historic nature” of the deal, many feel her tone was dismissive of the athletes who made such growth possible.

What happens next

As the Finals continue, with Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty battling for the championship, the off-court drama threatens to overshadow the game itself.

A new CBA negotiation looms on the horizon, and the league’s future stability could depend on whether Engelbert can rebuild trust — or if players demand new leadership altogether.

For now, one thing is clear: The commissioner’s words, or lack of them, have turned what should’ve been a celebratory moment into a credibility crisis.

And as the spotlight shifts back to the Finals, many fans are left asking: how can a league that’s finally thriving afford a commissioner who’s lost the locker room?

NEW YORK — Five years ago, Cam Schlittler was just a gangly freshman at Northeastern University, staring down the dream of a lifetime: a spring training scrimmage against the Boston Red Sox.

On that February afternoon in 2020, he retired then-prospect Jarren Duran on a flyout and soaked in the surreal thrill of facing the team he grew up idolizing in Walpole, Massachusetts.

Fast forward to October 2025, and Schlittler was once again standing on the same field as the Red Sox. Only this time, it wasn’t a scrimmage — it was Yankee Stadium, Game 3 of a winner-take-all Wild Card showdown. And instead of being a wide-eyed teenager, he was the centerpiece of a roaring Bronx crowd.

The 24-year-old rookie delivered eight scoreless innings, 12 strikeouts, zero walks, and a performance that is already being hailed as one of the greatest in Yankees playoff history. New York triumphed 4-0, ending Boston’s season and keeping their own championship hopes alive.

The performance of a lifetime

Leaning on a 98.9 mph four-seam fastball, nearly a full tick faster than his regular-season average, Schlittler overwhelmed Boston’s lineup from the start.

“When you throw 100 and command the baseball, you’re a problem,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said, smiling.

The rookie’s dominance evoked comparisons to legendary playoff debuts. By Game Score — the sabermetric formula pioneered by Bill James, Schlittler’s outing ranked top 10 in Yankees postseason history. He became the first pitcher aged 24 or younger to strike out 12 batters without a run allowed in a playoff game.

A standing ovation and a moment alone

When Schlittler walked off after a 1-2-3 seventh inning, Yankee Stadium erupted in a standing ovation. The crowd only grew louder when he returned for the eighth, becoming the first Yankees starter since CC Sabathia in 2012 to reemerge that deep into a postseason game with a lead.

The Yankees defense held back just long enough to let him stand alone on the mound — a snapshot moment destined for highlight reels. He needed only seven pitches to retire the side.

Though some staff debated letting him finish the ninth, closer David Bednar sealed the win. Still, the night belonged wholly to Schlittler.

A rookie pushed to the front

After the final handshake line, veteran ace Gerrit Cole, out for the season after Tommy John surgery, made sure the rookie was front and center.

“Yeah, I just shook his hand and got his ass up there in the front,” Cole said with a grin. “That was his game, man.”

A rapid rise

It’s a meteoric ascent few predicted. Drafted in the 7th round of 2022, Schlittler’s fastball once sat at 89 mph. But after adding muscle ahead of 2024, his velocity surged. By July 2025, after starting the year in Double-A, he was in the Yankees rotation.

“About 13 or 14 starts ago, I knew he had this in him,” Cole said. “It’s easy gas.”

What’s next

The victory sets up a tantalizing AL East Division clash against the Toronto Blue Jays, who earned a bye after edging New York in the season series. With Toronto missing key names like Bo Bichette, José Berríos, and Chris Bassitt, the Yankees may have the edge — and Schlittler is almost certain to be called upon again.

But on this night, none of that mattered. After being doused in beer in the clubhouse celebration, Schlittler was spotted walking through the tunnel, championship belt draped over his shoulder.

As teammate Max Fried passed by, he smiled and said, “Dude, you can put the belt on.”

He didn’t need to. Everyone already knew who the champion of the night was.
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INGLEWOOD, Calif. — On Thursday night, Mac Jones wasn’t just a backup quarterback — he was the heartbeat of the San Francisco 49ers.

Hours before kickoff against the Los Angeles Rams, head coach Kyle Shanahan told Jones that oddsmakers had pegged the injury-depleted 49ers as 8.5-point underdogs. Shanahan, visibly irritated, tried to use it as fuel.

“I don’t really pay attention to it,” Jones admitted with a laugh after the game. “Kyle was pissed… and I was like, ‘Yeah, let’s go kill them.’”

What followed was the kind of gritty, improbable performance that makes NFL lore. Despite missing starting quarterback Brock Purdy, three wideouts (Brandon Aiyuk, Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings), tight end George Kittle, and defensive anchor Nick Bosa, the Niners stunned the Rams in overtime, 26–23.

Beating the odds

For San Francisco, this wasn’t just a win — it was history. According to ESPN BET, it was the Niners’ first outright victory as underdogs of more than a touchdown since 2011. It also marked the biggest upset of the 2025 season so far, eclipsing the Cleveland Browns’ Week 3 shocker against the Green Bay Packers.

Jones, nursing a sprained left knee and a cramping forearm, shrugged off adversity. He completed 33 of 49 passes for 342 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions, and posted a passer rating of 100.9.

“He played his ass off,” Shanahan said. “Going against that defense, throwing that many times, and not turning the ball over — I can’t say enough good things about Mac.”

Unlikely heroes step up

Jones leaned on new faces. Wideout Kendrick Bourne, re-signed before Week 2, set career highs with 10 receptions for 142 yards, bouncing back from a three-drop game against Jacksonville.

“KB has brought so much energy, so much juice to this team,” fullback Kyle Juszczyk said. “He’s definitely helped spark this team.”

Rookie defenders also played starring roles. Second-round pick Alfred Collins forced and recovered a crucial fumble near the goal line late in the fourth quarter, while rookie safety Marques Sigle delivered the final tackle on Rams running back Kyren Williams to seal the upset on fourth-and-1.

Linebacker Fred Warner praised general manager John Lynch: “Our young guys are coming up big in all these games… and they’re just getting started.”

What’s next?

At 4-1, the Niners remain undefeated (3-0) in the NFC West. But questions remain about Purdy’s return. Shanahan confirmed the quarterback aggravated his toe injury and remains week-to-week. For now, the team has extra days to rest before a Week 6 showdown with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Whether Jones continues under center or returns to the bench, Thursday’s performance will be remembered as the night he silenced the doubters — and reminded the league that San Francisco’s fight runs deeper than its stars.
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