THE WNBA is at a major crossroads this season, and it’s starting to look like the league might not play next year.
The league’s CBA is set to expire soon, and there is all sorts of drama brewing among players and executives.
WNBA players are going to war with the league[/caption]
Napheesa Collier kicked things off with a scathing review of league leadership[/caption]
The WNBA players launched a war against WNBA leadership on Tuesday, with Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier reading a statement tearing apart commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
“We have the best players in the world, we have the best fans in the world, but right now we have the worst leadership in the world,” Collier said.
“The real threat to our league isn’t money, it isn’t ratings or even missed calls or even physical play.
“It’s the lack of accountability from the league office.”
In the statement, Collier spoke about leadership, officiating, and even made a claim that Engelbert took credit for Caitlin Clark‘s sponsorships.
Clark backed up Collier in the media on Thursday, speaking about how important a crossroads the WNBA is at right now.
“This is straight up the most important moment in this league’s history, where this league’s been around for 25-plus years, and this is a moment we have to capitalize on,” Clark said Thursday.
“So that’s honestly what I would say. Phee said it all, what she said and the points she made.”
The WNBA CBA is set to expire on October 31, and no progress has been made on coming up with a new agreement.
“Like I said, we are in the biggest moment in WNBA history,” Clark continued.
“There’s no denying that. Everybody knows that and everybody that’s in a place of power has a true responsibility and even myself, we have a responsibility to make sure that this game is in a great place going forward with the CBA and caring for our players.
“And building this league to make sure it’s in a great spot for many years to come.”
It has become increasingly clear that WNBA players won’t back down in their demands for the new CBA.
While Engelbert is looking to get the best deal possible for the executives, players are fighting for their own rights.
The Indiana Fever‘s Sophie Cunningham described the league’s agenda as “shameful.”
“I think they’re failing us as a league, definitely failing us as players,” she said.
“It’s pretty shameful she always makes it about her, Cathy, when it should have nothing to do with her.”
WNBA 2025 All-Star Roster
Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier have been named captains of the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game.
Guards:
- Paige Bueckers* – Dallas Wings
- Caitlin Clark* – Indiana Fever
- Sabrina Ionescu* – New York Liberty
- Allisha Gray* – Atlanta Dream
- Kelsey Mitchell – Indiana Fever
- Skylar Diggins – Seattle Storm
- Kelsey Plum – Los Angeles Sparks
- Brittany Sykes – Washington Mystics
- Natasha Cloud – New York Liberty
- Jackie Young – Las Vegas Aces
Frontcourt:
- Napheesa Collier* – Minnesota Lynx
- A’ja Wilson* – Las Vegas Aces
- Breanna Stewart* – New York Liberty
- Aliyah Boston* – Indiana Fever
- Nneka Ogwumike* – Seattle Storm
- Satou Sabally* – Phoenix Mercury
- Angel Reese – Chicago Sky
- Kiki Iriafen – Washington Mystics
- Gabby Williams – Seattle Storm
- Alyssa Thomas – Phoenix Mercury
*Voted as a starter
At this point, the WNBA and the players are miles apart on what they want in a new CBA deal.
The player’s union wants a fluid revenue-sharing system, similar to the NBA‘s. This comes after the WNBA has a new media rights deal valued at $2.2 billion starting next season.
The WNBA is also adding three new expansion teams, each of which paid $250 million in expansion fees.
There is plenty of money to increase pay for players, but it seems the league has no interest in making that increase.
So where does the WNBA go from here?
It feels very real that a work-stoppage could impact the 2026 WNBA season.
Whether that means some or all of the year is missed, the players have shown they are willing to do whatever it takes to fight for their rights.
