The WNBA Drama Just Escalated

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The WNBA Drama Just Escalated

What's going on: The Phoenix Mercury and Las Vegas Aces will tip off the WNBA Finals on Friday — but that’s not the only thing that’s top of mind for fans and players. On Tuesday, Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa “Phee” Collier — Unrivaled cofounder and vice president of the players’ union — went scorched earth on league leadership. During her end-of-season presser, Phee said the WNBA has “the worst leadership in the world.” She specifically called out her boss, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, for dismissing players’ and coaches’ concerns over officiating and its potential link to player injuries. Engelbert’s response? She said she was “disheartened” by Phee’s comments and vowed to maintain her commitment to the players. Many are now questioning whether she’ll even be around next season, although a league spokesperson has denied those reports.

Our take: Players and coaches have long complained about the league’s officiating, but Phee’s comments marked a breaking point — and many of her fellow athletes are standing with her. (Based on the memes, so is the internet.) The scathing review comes after the WNBA suspended and fined Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve last week for an altercation with referees during the semifinals. At least two other coaches received fines for backing Reeve up. Now, the league may be forced to reckon with what many see as systemic failures — from how officials are trained to how dissent is punished. The timing also couldn’t be bigger: Contract negotiations between the league and players are ongoing, and a potential lockout could be more likely than ever.

Related: Phee Had a Very Telling Story Involving Caitlin Clark (Well Played)

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Timeout...

Our Well Played co-hosts and friends of the show tackle listener Qs.

Fans are still processing that Cowboys-Packers game and asking: Why are there ties allowed in the NFL?

While ties in the NFL are rare, it doesn’t mean that fans and players are satisfied when it happens. Both QBs expressed their dissatisfaction postgame, with Cowboys’ Dak Prescott saying, “You don’t play the game for ties.” The league has tweaked its rules to avoid these situations entirely, first adding overtime in 1974. But under the newer, current OT rules, both teams are usually guaranteed a possession. If there is still no score in the 10-minute OT period, the outcome is a tie. The reason? More overtime play could put player health and safety at risk.  

FEATURED EXPERT:

Caroline Hendershot

Reporter for the New York Jets and co-host of Well Played.

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