Satou Sabally Reacts To NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Saying That CBA Talks Have Become "Too Personal"

Phoenix Mercury star Satou Sabally has a lot on her mind right now. Her team is down 0–2 in the WNBA Finals, but aside from this, Sabally can’t help thinking of the short-term and long-term future of every player in the WNBA.

As a team union representative, Sabally is one of the WNBA players leading the charge to negotiate a better collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the league. Speaking at a media availability, the Mercury forward gave her reaction to a certain comment by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. 

According to Silver, the CBA negotiations have become “too personal” in light of the conflict between WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier. Sabally had a particular reaction to Silver’s choice of words.

“It is very personal because the WNBA wants to forbid us to make a lot more money than we’re ever going to make here,” Sabally told reporters. “People have families. This is our job. We make more money in China, Russia, Turkey than here.”

Higher salaries are indeed a sticking point in the CBA talks, but to date, the WNBA and the players’ union remain far apart on this issue, along with other demands voiced by the players.

The disconnect between the two parties grew even more pronounced when Collier strongly criticized Engelbert in her exit interview last week. According to Collier, the “lack of accountability” is from Engelbert and the WNBA front office. The Lynx star, who also happens to be the vice president of the players’ union, also quoted Engelbert as saying that Caitlin Clark should be “grateful” for the millions that she earns with the help of the WNBA’s platform.

Collier’s tirade led to a response by Engelbert, who claimed that she never made such comments about anyone. The WNBA Commissioner went on to question the accuracy of Collier’s narrative, leading the five-time All-Star to cancel a planned meeting with Engelbert.

The back-and-forth between Engelbert and Collier led to Silver publicly calling the situation “too personal.” The NBA’s head honcho went so far as to volunteer his help in resolving the issue. But, as far as Sabally is concerned, the “personal” element of this predicament is not a hindrance to resolution. For Sabally, the fact that this is a “personal” matter is exactly what fuels the players to continue fighting for better salaries and perks in the CBA.

This week, Sabally isn’t just battling the Las Vegas Aces. Against all odds, she is also taking a stand for her fellow players and their loved ones.