Her Game Her Voice™

Inside the WNBA: Freedom of Movement, Power Plays, and the Portland Fire’s Fumble

• Kaari Peterson • Season 1 • Episode 16

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In this episode of Her Game Her Voice, Kaari goes inside the WNBA to unpack one of the sport’s most misunderstood concepts: freedom of movement. What does it actually mean, and why does it matter so much for players — especially in a league that’s becoming more physical by the game? Kaari breaks it down in plain terms.

Freedom of Movement runs right into one of the biggest headlines in the WNBA: the growing feud between Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier and WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. What started as a conversation about player treatment and transparency has turned into a public power struggle that raises big questions about leadership, player's voices, and what it means to grow the league responsibly.

Then, in this week’s Awards Segment:

  • 🏆 Buzzer Beater Award: A’ja Wilson continues to set the standard — and she's just getting started. 
  • ❌ Airball Award: Cathy Engelbert again… this time for announcing Chicago as the 2026 WNBA All-Star host city, leaving fans scratching their heads.
  • 🚨 Flagrant Foul Award: The new WNBA franchise, the Portland Fire, for hiring a head coach with zero experience in women’s or girl's basketball — ZERO.

It’s an episode about freedom, friction, and the future of the WNBA — where every whistle, headline, and hiring decision tells a deeper story about the game and the women who shape it.

“Big stories, little episodes—amplifying the voices shaping the game on and off the court." - Her Game Her Voice Podcast by Kaari Peterson

Kaari:

Howdy hoop heads, and welcome to another episode of Her Game Her Voice, the podcast that delivers big stories about the world of women's basketball in little 15-minute or less episodes. I'm your host, Kaari Peterson.

Kaari:

In this episode of the pod, I'm going to share an overview of Napheesa Collier's beef with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. And I'll share my thoughts because I do have them. And so do you. Thanks for reaching out and sharing what's on your mind.

Kaari:

I also have a listener question about WNBA officiating and freedom of movement. Yep, we love discussing officiating on Her Game Her Voice.

Kaari:

And I'll wrap up the episode with everybody's favorite, the awards section of the podcast, including a little something for former South Carolina Gamecock A'ja Wilson.

Kaari:

Let's tip it off.

Kaari:

Now I want to spend a couple minutes on the 2025 WNBA playoffs. It was heartbreaking to see Naphisa Collier get hurt in the semifinal round game against the Mercury. You know the one I'm talking about. It's the one where Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve got ejected from the game.

Kaari:

Coach Reeve reacted to the no-call on the incident between Collier and Alyssa Thomas. It took Collier out of the game.

Kaari:

I get the reaction. But wow, this one was extreme. Ah oh.

Kaari:

The final round of games was a surprise to me. I really didn't expect Las Vegas to sweep Phoenix, but they did, didn't they?

Kaari:

I love watching A'ja Wilson play, but I was rooting for Phoenix. I want Alyssa Thomas to win a championship already.

Kaari:

The WNBA Finals viewership numbers are now in. ESPN reported that 2025 was the most watched WNBA postseason in league history. Across 24 games through the playoffs and finals, WNBA games on ESPN averaged 1.2 million viewers, up 5% year over year. The finals averaged 1.5 million viewers.

Kaari:

The best part of ESPN stats? The numbers reflect the continued momentum of the WNBA League, and further proof that the growth in the population of WNBA fans goes far beyond the Caitlin Clark effect.

Kaari:

And now it's time for our listener question.

Kaari:

This question, or should I say, these questions, are from Mike in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Kaari:

With all of this fuss about the WNBA and officiating, I've heard the term freedom of movement tossed around by announcers during games. What does freedom of movement mean in terms of women's professional basketball? How is it incorporated in the rulebook for the WMBA and its officials?

Kaari:

Love your questions, Mike.

Kaari:

Freedom of movement is a big concept in modern basketball, and in the women's pro game, it's especially important. Even if you only watched a couple games this season, you probably heard an announcer mention freedom of movement. Enforcing this rule seemed to be one of the primary issues regarding officials and inconsistent calls.

Kaari:

So let's break it down in the context of the WNBA. What does freedom of movement really mean?

Kaari:

In basketball, freedom of movement basically means that players should be able to move, cut, drive, run through screens without getting grabbed, bumped, or body checked like they're in a hockey game.

Kaari:

On offense, that means a player has the right to go where they want on the floor without being rerouted by a defender's arm, hip, or oops, didn't see you there, shoved.

Kaari:

And defensively, it means you can't be held or hooked when you're trying to stay in front of someone or contest a shot.

Kaari:

The idea is simple. The game of basketball should flow. It should be about skilled play, not hip checking and wrestling matches in the paint.

Kaari:

But fun fact, the WNBA rulebook doesn't actually even say the words freedom of movement anywhere.

Kaari:

Wait, what?

Kaari:

Anybody else think that's weird?

Kaari:

It's like, "hi ref, here's the WNBA officials' rulebook. Read it, and then you can go call the game. Oh, and uh one more thing. And it isn't written down anywhere in the book, but there's this thing called freedom of movement, and it's really important to watch out for. So keep that in mind while you're officiating the game. Good luck."

Kaari:

The folks who write the rules for the WNBA say the concept of freedom of movement is built into things like the rules about illegal contact. And every season, the league sends out what they call points of emphasis to officials.

Kaari:

It's basically a reminder list of what to crack down on. And lately, freedom of movement has been high on that list.

Kaari:

It's just not actually written into the official rule book.

Kaari:

Like I said before, the idea or goal of freedom of movement is about keeping the game flowing, letting players play, and making sure talent gets to shine without bumping, blocking, and grabbing, slowing things down.

Kaari:

Thank you for your excellent questions, Mike.

Kaari:

Do you have a question for me? Please send me an email at her gamehervoice at gmail.com.

Kaari:

And now for a segment called, "Oh Cathy, what are we doing here?"

Kaari:

Unless you've been living under a rock, and if you have, no judgment, go ahead and live your best life. You've probably seen the headlines. Napheesa Collier versus WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.

Kaari:

A couple days after the Minnesota Lynx were eliminated from the playoffs by the Phoenix Mercury, Napheesa, aka Phee, made an official statement to the press and didn't hold back.

Kaari:

She said, quote, "We have the best players in the world and the worst leadership in the world."

Kaari:

That was the first spark, and it's been fireworks ever since.

Kaari:

But Collier's criticism wasn't just about WNBA leadership. She accused Cathy of failing players on pay equity, safety, and transparency, and even claimed Cathy once told players they should be on their knees and grateful for the WNBA media rights deal she negotiated.

Kaari:

As Lindsay Gibbs of CBS Sports put it, "for decades gratitude has been weaponized against female athletes, used to keep them from asking for more. The message has always been take your crumbs and don't rock the boat or you'll sink the league."

Kaari:

But that fear doesn't really hold up anymore. A $2.2 billion media deal kicks in next season. Attendance and ratings are soaring, and franchise valuations are hitting half a billion dollars.

Kaari:

So when leadership keeps preaching gratitude, it doesn't sound humble, it sounds controlling. Phee clearly picked up on that. She said, it's not about innovation or collaboration, it's about control and power.

Kaari:

Cathy fired back at Phee, saying that her comments were, quote, "mischaracterized", which in PR speak means, "yeah, I said it, but please don't quote me on it."

Kaari:

So what is the WNBA Commissioner supposed to do? What's Kathy's role?

Kaari:

She makes around $3 million a year, was handpicked by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, and came straight from 33 years at Deloitte. Her job is to grow the game and empower players. But right now, the only thing growing is frustration.

Kaari:

Lots of people are weighing in on this feud, like ESPN Stephen A. Smith. He said, quote, "Cathy is impeding the progress of other women."

Kaari:

And Stanford alum Ros Gold on Woody said, "Phee is playing chess, not checkers", because Phee is being strategic in her communication. She sat on all of this knowledge, everything that went down with Cathy, stuff that happened back in February. She just sat on it and waited until now to call Cathy out on it.

Kaari:

And Cathy can't seem to make the right move against Collier. In her statement to the press following Phee's accusations, Cathy told reporters she'd be meeting with Phee soon. But she said this before she actually asked Phee to meet. That's a checker's move, Cathy.

Kaari:

And because, as noted, Phee is playing chess, when the press asked her about the meeting Cathy alluded to, Phee said that there would be no meeting.

Kaari:

And checkmate.

Kaari:

Vathy points to that shiny new 11-year media rights deal as proof of progress. But 11 years is a long time to lock in value for a league that's exploding.

Kaari:

And it's not her first money misstep. Back in 2022, Kathy sold a 16% stake in the league to private investors for $75 million, valuing the league at $1 billion. Today it's worth closer to $3.5 billion.

Kaari:

Translation, Kathy sold low and players know it.

Kaari:

And get this, no one is really sure where the $75 million went. The league said, quote, it went to brand elevation and operational optimization, which, come on, that could really mean anything.

Kaari:

And all of this is happening right before CBA negotiations on October 31st. Ouch.

Kaari:

Okay, I get it. Being commissioner isn't easy. Cathy's been raked over the coals by players, fans, and media, and deservedly so. But there's another player in this mess as well: the NBA.

Kaari:

Because Cathy isn't fully in charge. The NBA is.

Kaari:

Six of 13 WNBA teams are NBA owned, and four of the next five expansion teams will be too. That means NBA owners control about 60% of the league.

Kaari:

Cathy's boss is Adam Silver. And for decades he's complained about the WNBA's lack of profit while doing little to help it grow. Instead of boosting the league, the NBA has treated it like a burden.

Kaari:

And conveniently, that narrative always ramps up before CBA talks.

Kaari:

So Cathy is stuck. NBA pressure on one side, players on the other, fans in the middle. And right now, nobody is buying what she's selling.

Kaari:

Because you don't prove leadership with a media deal. You prove it with followers who believe in your vision and trust you. And right now, WNBA players don't trust Cathy Engelbert.

Kaari:

So, Cathy, oh Cathy, we want to root for you, but you've got to stop leading like the CEO of Deloitte and start leading like the Commissioner of Women's Professional Basketball.

Kaari:

Now it's time for the awards section of our podcast.

Kaari:

First, the Buzzer Beater Award. This week's Buzzer Beater Award goes to A'ja Wilson for dominating and reaching new heights with her third WNBA title and record-breaking fourth MVP award.

Kaari:

Earlier this month, Wilson led her Las Vegas Aces to a sweep of the Phoenix Mercury, clinching the 2025 WNBA Championship, the third of her career.

Kaari:

I think Wilson has made a compelling case as the greatest women's basketball player in history. All of these accolades, and she's just 29 years old. She's not done yet.

Kaari:

So congrats to A'ja Wilson for winning this week's Buzzer Beater Award.

Kaari:

This week's Airball Award goes to your pal and mine, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.

Kaari:

She just announced that the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game is going back to Chicago.

Kaari:

Are you kidding me? Fans are still recovering from the 2022, quote, half-baked at the convention center edition of the All-Star Game.

Kaari:

Fans took to social media and shared their thoughts about the announcement. Here's a sample of some of the comments :

Kaari:

"Hold on, you're rewarding the worst-run franchise in the WNBA with an all-star game?"

Kaari:

And another said, "are we only doing all-star games in the Midwest now?" Side note, the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game was in Indiana,

Kaari:

With several other cities looking like strong contenders for hosting the 2026 All-Star Game. Choosing the city of Chicago to host after the problem-riddled 2022 All-Star Game experience, is definitely a big airball.

Kaari:

Congratulations, Cathy.

Kaari:

And now the Flagrant Foul award. This week's Flagrant Foul award goes to the brand new WNBA franchise, the Portland Fire, and their front office.

Kaari:

Here's what happened.

Kaari:

The team, one of two WNBA expansion franchises set to debut in 2026, accidentally leaked their own big news. They shared on LinkedIn that they'd hired Alex Sarama, that's how Google told me to pronounce it anyway, as their head coach, and then promptly deleted the post.

Kaari:

Nice.

Kaari:

Front Office Sports' Annie Constable later confirmed that yes, "the FIRE do plan to officially announce Sarama soon, once the contract details are finalized."

Kaari:

But like my grandma used to say, the cat is already out of the bag.

Kaari:

Who is Alex Saruma?

Kaari:

Good question.

Kaari:

He's a native of England who's been working in player development, most recently as an assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers and previously with the Blazers G League affiliate. He's got ties to Portland Fire GM Vanya Chernevik, (oh my god, these names. ) who worked with him back in London when she ran the British Basketball League's London Lions.

Kaari:

Alex and Connections to Portland Fire? Check.

Kaari:

Alex and Experience coaching women's basketball? Gigantic ZERO.

Kaari:

Look, I'm not completely opposed to a white guy coaching in women's sports. It's not my first choice, but if he's got actual experience coaching women, I can give the guy a fair shot.

Kaari:

But zero experience coaching women or girls? What the fudge, Portland?

Kaari:

This hire fits right into what Jackie Powell from the IX's has called "the gentrification of WNBA head coaching." Basically, there's a trend of valuing NBA experience above all else. And surprise, surprise, that pipeline overwhelmingly favors white men who've never coached women at any level.

Kaari:

So between the botch social media leak and the tone-deaf hiring choice, the Portland Fire are off to a scorching start, and not in the way they intended.

Kaari:

Congrats to the Portland Fires leadership for winning this week's Flagrant Foul Award.

Kaari:

I'm Kaari Peterson, and you've been listening to Her Game Her Voice.

Kaari:

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Kaari:

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Kaari:

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Kaari:

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Kaari:

Thanks for listening and happy hoopin'!

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Kaari Peterson

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