Mercury Star Criticizes WNBA Commissioner Over Heavy Schedule

Salaries aren’t the only thing WNBA players are looking to change in the next collective bargaining agreement. Phoenix Mercury star Satou Sabally made that clear Saturday.

Following a loss to the Seattle Storm, Sabally called out WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert for the team’s grueling schedule. The Mercury had just finished a stretch of playing nine games in 18 days from May 21 to June 7.

“I think this is a conversation that could also be important for the next CBA. Cathy [Englebert] added a lot of games, and [for] us as players, recovery is so important. We put our bodies on the line every single time. We had nine games in 18 days. That’s not really responsible for a commissioner,” Sabally said.

The WNBA added four more games to the regular-season schedule this year, giving each team 44 games, the maximum number allowed under the current CBA. The increase also came as the league added a 13th franchise, the Golden State Valkyries. Two more teams will be added next year in Toronto and Portland.

Sabally has played in all Mercury’s league-high 10 games this season, though the same can’t be said for teammates Kahleah Copper (knee) and Alyssa Thomas (calf), who are out with injuries. Phoenix also had to sign Haley Jones last week with a hardship exception, though they waived her Sunday.

Injuries Piling Up

The Mercury aren’t the only team dealing with injuries. The Indiana Fever signed Aari McDonald last week to a hardship exception with Caitlin Clark (quad) and Sophie Cunningham (ankle) on the shelf. 

The WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association are due for a new CBA next season after the latter opted out of its current deal in October. The main focus of a new deal has been an increase in player salaries, especially after the WNBA agreed to a record 11-year, $2.2 billion media-rights deal that starts next season. The WNBA’s deal could reach as much as $3 billion by the time all its broadcast partners are finalized.