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Collier signs $1.4 M deal, misses season start.

5/8/2026

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Summary

Collier Signs Deal

Napheesa Collier signed a contract worth about $1.4 million and will miss the season start, returning in June after an ankle injury.
She was the MVP runner-up after averaging 22.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.
The contract leaves her a free agent offseason while she projects playing through the 2036 season at age 39.
She helped secure the collective bargaining agreement and is interested in basketball’s business side.

Summary

Collier Faces Threats

Collier told NPR’s Steve Inskeep that bettors who lose $30,000 have sent her death threats.
She said she opposes intimidation after losses but supports betting itself.
Collier noted such threats are common in the NBA and now appear in the WNBA.
She warned that protecting game integrity is vital as players earn betting money.
Collier said she does not expect WNBA fixing scandals like federal NBA cases.

History

Historical Context

In July 2007 the FBI exposed NBA referee Tim Donaghy’s betting on games he officiated, leading him to plead guilty on August 15 and receive a 15-month sentence. The scandal forced the NBA to tighten referee gambling rules. Today, WNBA star Napheesa Collier faces death threats after bettors lost $30,000, echoing the league’s lingering integrity concerns.

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Collier Signs Deal

Napheesa Collier signed a contract worth about $1.4 million and will miss the season start, returning in June after an ankle injury.
She was the MVP runner-up after averaging 22.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.
The contract leaves her a free agent offseason while she projects playing through the 2036 season at age 39.
She helped secure the collective bargaining agreement and is interested in basketball’s business side.

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