WNBA players are currently involved in collective bargaining talks with the league. Naturally, many fans have formed their theories and assumptions about how things are unfolding and what it could mean for the future. This kind of speculation is common on social media.
But one fan recently found himself at the center of controversy after Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier personally responded to his explosive conspiracy theory.
Napheesa Collier Fires Back at Conspiracy Theory
The WNBA and its players are currently negotiating a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Tensions are high, especially after the league’s first proposal was rejected by the players’ union. The stakes couldn’t be higher for both sides as they work toward a deal that shapes the future of women’s professional basketball.
Amid the growing uncertainty, one social media user tried to make a point but ended up accusing Collier and fellow WNBPA executive Breanna Stewart of having a hidden agenda. The fan suggested that the two were secretly hoping for a lockout so their co-founded offseason league, Unrivaled, could benefit from more player participation.
The post read, “So let me get this straight… Breanna Stewart is WNBPA President. Napheesa Collier is VP. They co-founded Unrivaled, a league that benefits if there’s a WNBA lockout. And they’re the ones leading CBA negotiations? How do you negotiate in good faith? Make it make sense.”
The Lynx forward wasn’t having that faulty logic. All WNBA players have much more to lose if the league fails to reach a new CBA, and Collier knew it. The 28-year-old fired back, writing, “So let me get this straight… While everyone else was enjoying fireworks, you were thinking about how me and Stewie of all people are conspiring to force a lockout that would result in less money year-round for WNBA players??”
So let me get this straight….
While everyone else was enjoying fireworks, you were thinking about how me and & Stewie of all people are conspiring to force a lockout that would result in less money year-round for WNBA players??🧐😂😂😂 https://t.co/jOiF5TRiAB
— napheesa collier (@PHEEsespieces) July 5, 2025
Conspiracy Theory Doesn’t Add Up For Napheesa Collier
The conspiracy theory falls apart under basic scrutiny. A WNBA lockout would hurt every player financially, including Collier and Stewart. The league provides the primary income source for most players, with salaries ranging from roughly $60,000 to $230,000 annually. Even the highest-paid stars depend on that guaranteed money.
Collier and Stewart launched Unrivaled this past January. The league guarantees all players average compensation, reportedly exceeding $220,000. Since the launch, they have repeatedly stated that Unrivaled is designed to support WNBA players, and is not intended to benefit from a WNBA lockout.
The timing also matters. Unrivaled runs during the WNBA offseason, from January through March. It was specifically created to give players a domestic option instead of having to play overseas during the winter months. A WNBA lockout wouldn’t change that schedule or suddenly make Unrivaled more profitable.
In an interview with ESPN, Collier said: “Even though we only employ a certain amount of players, we affect all of the players. I feel like it’s an advantage more than a conflict of interest.”
When the fan accused them with flimsy logic, Collier responded with the clarity and humor the moment demanded. Her clapback reached 1.1 million views within one day. The community praised her for shutting down the conspiracy theory during the league’s critical negotiation period.
The response also highlighted something important about social media during tense times. Fans often look for villains or hidden motives when the reality is usually much simpler. In this case, two of the league’s biggest stars are trying to secure better deals for all players while also creating additional opportunities through their own business venture.
