After being called out by WNBA star Napheesa Collier in a bombshell statement last month, the commissioner faced a chorus of boos during the WNBA Finals trophy ceremony on Friday.

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Engelbert was met with a chorus of boos, which prompted some reactions from the players

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A dominant Las Vegas Ace completed a 4-0 sweet on the Phoenix Mercury to their third WNBA title in three years, with A’ja Wilson claiming MVP honors after averaging 28.5 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2 blocks in the Finals.

However as Engelbert was congratulating the Aces, the fans turned their attention to the 60-year-old engulfed in a crisis.

ESPN cuts camera amid Engelbert boos

It wasn’t only jeers, Engelbert was the subject of fans appearing to throw up the middle finger towards the commissioner, which forced ESPN to cut to a grey screen as the Aces were being awarded their trophy.

“ESPN had to blur/grey the screen multiple times during commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s remarks because of a fan in the crowd flipping double birds at her,” ESPN’s Sarah Spain wrote on X.

Engelbert responds to Collier’s brutal callout of WNBA as Stephen A. calls for resignation

The boos were met by a string of players pulling faces, as even they looked stunned at the reception Engelbert was receiving despite the controversy surrounding her fallout with Collier.

As soon as Engelbert handed over the trophy and A’ja Wilson was given her second Finals MVP award, she made a quick exit while the celebrations continued

Booing commissioners isn’t something new in sports.

As NFL boss Roger Goodell and NFL commissioner Gary Bettman are routinely booed on draft day and the NBA’s Adam Silver has faced his fare share of jeers.

Engelbert under immense pressure

However, the context in which Engelbert is facing such pressure makes it uniquely challenging as she deals with the public fallout of Collier’s criticism, which called out the leadership of the league and named the commissioner as someone who has dismissed concerns from players.

“Year after year, the only thing that remains consistent is the lack of accountability from our leaders,” Collier said last month.

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A star-studded season for A’ja Wilson has ended with another WNBA Finals MVP awardCredit: GETTY

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With the WNBA season now over, all focus now rests on agreeing a new CBA with the Oct.31 deadline loomingCredit: GETTY

“I sat across from Cathy and asked how she planned to address the officiating issues in our league. Her response was, ‘Well, only the losers complain about the refs.’

“I also asked how she planned to fix the fact that players like Caitlin, Angel and Paige, who are clearly driving massive revenue for the league, are making so little for their first four years.

“Her response was, ‘Caitlin should be grateful she makes $16million off the court because without the platform the WNBA gives her, she wouldn’t make anything.”

Several WNBA players, like Angel Reese and Sophie Cunningham, publicly backed Collier’s remarks.

CBA not close to being agreed

Engelbert also faces a race against time to agree on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the negotiation deadline set for Oct. 31.

The need for a new CBA was driven by the 11-year, $2.2 billion TV deal the league signed with broadcasters, which has prompted players to demand higher salaries.

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The effects of Collier’s statement are still being felt around the leagueCredit: @MinnestoaLynx
However, it’s unclear whether the league will agree on a new CBA with its players by Oct. 31, as Front Office Sport have reported that a standoff has emerged.

FOS claims that sources have told them the new CBA proposal does not include a “supermax salary at or exceeding $1 million in the first year of the deal. ”

Currently, the league’s super max is $249,244.

Engelbert’s boss, Adam Silver, who is the commissioner of the NBA, spoke about the issues facing the league right now as he backed Engelbert.

“The WNBA is experiencing some growth pains,” Silver told reporters at a NBC Sports event.

“At the same time, Cathy Engelbert has presided over six years of some of the strongest growth we’ve not only seen in the WNBA but any sports league in history,”

“But it’s become too personal and we’re going to have to work through those issues.”

Charles Barkley warns WNBA stars

Popular media personality and NBA legend Barkley, who played 16 seasons in the league, warned WNBA players about overplaying their hand in these CBA negotiations.

“They need to be very careful, they’re walking on thin ice right now,” he said on “The Rich Eisen Show.”

“I know they’re doing some great things, but you can’t overplay your hand…as a league that had Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and a hundred great players, I think we went on strike three times.

“You can overplay your hand. In the NBA, we were like, ‘No, we’re not gonna strike. They need us.’ You know what I was doing? Sitting my a** at home, unemployed … playing damn tiddlywinks.”

Ultimately, one thing is for certain: this WNBA offseason is gearing up to be the most riveting one yet.