PAY THE PLAYERS

Photo by Steph Chambers

It's no secret that the WNBA is headed towards a league lockout. Fans have watched the clock tick down to zero on the CBA contract, and it's time for fair play for players. As the players continue to race the clock, fans and athletes alike are bracing for the possibility that 2026 might not see a season at all.

At the 2025 All-Star Game, players debuted shirts that said "Pay Us What You Owe Us" with the Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) logo on the bottom. This started a very public conversation about the upcoming negotiations addressing the 2026 season and the years ahead. Of course, this sparked a lot of discourse among non-WNBA fans, as well as among other leagues approaching the end of their contracts. Players dealt with backlash for speaking on something that "doesn't involve them", even though this is their likelihood. Natasha Cloud, a point guard for the New York Liberty and well-known WNBA veteran, has been one of the most outspoken players among the WNBPA. She has faced severe backlash for speaking out about negotiations that clearly affect her.

The WNBPA has been preparing for negotiations on a new contract amid the low revenue share that players face. Currently, players receive only 9.3% of the league's revenue, while in the men's league, they receive 50%. Right now, all the players are asking for is 30%, and the league is still fighting them in the meeting room. The league announced that if negotiations aren't completed by March 10th, the season will be postponed. The players have repeatedly told fans they don't want to resort to a strike, but they will if they have to.

As of now, no contract has been completed, and we are facing major setbacks for the season. Fans and players are remaining optimistic and continuing to support the players through their announcements made. With March Madness coming up, morale is high.

If you enjoy reading about the CBA negotiations, you should consider listening to my podcast Power Femme Playbook with new episodes every Thursday at 7 p.m. I also host a radio show, Beyond the Net Radio, where I curate playlists on women's sports themes on Sundays at 8 p.m.