What's Going On With The WNBA

Kelsey Plum, Napheesa Collier Draw Criticism as Unrivaled Overlaps Key NYC CBAMeeting

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 03:30:13 +0000

via Imago ©via Imago

As the WNBA held a crucial CBA meeting in New York, two of its player-leaders, Kelsey Plum and Napheesa Collier, drew sharp criticism for their absence, an issue magnified by their commitments to the new Unrivaled league.

It is interesting to note that, according to ESPN, the meeting was viewed as “helpful” in the ongoing push toward a new collective bargaining agreement, with the discussion centered on openly sharing philosophies and perspectives behind each side’s stance rather than presenting new proposals.

Yes, you read that right. The WNBA did not present a counterproposal at Monday’s meeting. Rather, the league communicated to the players’ union that it would begin drafting an official response to the proposal.

“They volunteered that they did not have a proposal prepared at the top of the meeting,” Nneka Ogwumike told Front Office Sports. “That kind of set the tone for the conversation because we were hoping to hear otherwise.” You can understand the frustration from the players’ union. However, with the league now set to draft an official response to the union’s latest proposal, there is renewed hope that meaningful progress can finally be made in the WNBA CBA negotiations.

That said, Kelsey Plum and Napheesa Collier were expected to attend the meeting in their roles as vice presidents of the WNBPA. Neither was able to make it, a development that sparked considerable backlash on social media. Here are some of those reactions.

A Lighthearted Moment That Sparked a Serious Fan Backlash

Social media erupted after a video surfaced showing Kelsey Plum pushing Napheesa Collier through an airport in a trolley. While the clip was lighthearted, several fans felt it sent the wrong message given the stakes of the WNBA’s CBA talks.

“Can you imagine complaining about WNBA owners not taking the players or the negotiations seriously, then releasing this video and missing the face-to-face meeting you wanted?” one fan said after the video went viral. Another fan simply added, “Clowns.” And while the criticism may sound harsh, the frustration is understandable.

Collier and Plum’s absence was not due to a lack of intent. An undisclosed travel issue prevented them from making it in time while flying from Miami, where Unrivaled players are currently staying.

Both later shared on social media that they did make their flight to New York, a point highlighted by one fan who posted with the caption, “What’s this about lmao from last night?” However, they were ultimately unable to attend the WNBA CBA negotiations in person, probably because of bad weather.

Another fan jumped in, saying, “Being the professional WNBA players that they are, they proceed to miss their key meeting with owners for the CBA. Simply pathetic.”

Yes, a smaller group attended in person, but the union was still heavily represented, with around 40 players joining the meeting via Zoom, including members of the executive committee.

And on the league side, we had commissioner Cathy Engelbert in the room, along with Suzanne Abair (Atlanta Dream), Nadia Rawlinson (Chicago Sky), Jennifer Rizzotti (Connecticut Sun), Kelly Krauskopf (Indiana Fever), Greg Bibb (Dallas Wings), Mat Ishbia (Phoenix Mercury), and Ginny Gilder (Seattle Storm).

Sue Bird was also believed to be part of these negotiations.

In early December, the league submitted a proposal featuring a $1.3 million maximum salary and an average salary north of $530,000, figures tied to a revenue-sharing framework that deducts a percentage from combined team and league revenues. But the players wasted no time in rejecting it.

They responded by seeking a significantly higher $10.5 million salary cap, along with a revenue-sharing structure that would allow players to receive a percentage of total revenues prior to any deductions.

We now know that the WNBA is preparing a revised proposal after declining to formally counter the union’s offer, which league sources viewed as unrealistic. While negotiations continue behind the scenes, some fans came away believing that Unrivaled mattered more to Phee and Kelsey than the WNBA itself.

“Conflict of interest. Wearing Unrivaled gear and missing the meeting. Let CC and the new wave of young players handle it. They don’t seem serious. No season would kill the W,” one fan said.

That sentiment has been around for a while now. A few months back, when Napheesa Collier publicly pushed back against Commissioner Cathy Engelbert during her exit interview, we saw some fans take it less as a league issue and more as a way to help Unrivaled gain traction.

Back then, skepticism followed Phee and Stewie, with some fans believing their involvement in Unrivaled created a conflict of interest in WNBA CBA talks. That perception persisted despite both players consistently emphasizing that Unrivaled was not designed to compete with the WNBA, but to serve as an offseason destination that allows players to stay stateside instead of traveling abroad to sustain their careers.

So why the sudden shift in perception? We may never fully know. What we do know, though, is that players are ultimately advocating for what they believe is best for them.

They are fighting for better pay, stronger benefits, and higher professional standards. No committee member is prepared to accept a deal that compromises housing, retirement security, facilities, or staffing standards, all while ensuring revenue sharing remains a key pillar of any new deal.

Given how difficult travel has been across the country amid ongoing weather disruptions, it is entirely plausible that despite boarding a flight, circumstances beyond their control prevented them from reaching the meeting on time. Regardless, there is little doubt that Napheesa Collier, Kelsey Plum, or Breanna Stewart would ever want the league to head toward a lockout.

Without the WNBA, the entire women’s basketball ecosystem suffers.

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Sophie Cunningham Takes Major Shot At State Of The WNBA

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 19:33:21 +0000

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham didn't hold back this week when talking about all the uncertainty surrounding the WNBA.

On Monday, the WNBA and the players' union met for a few hours to discuss a new collective bargaining agreement. Although the 2026 season is scheduled to begin in May, there's no guarantee a deal will get done by then.

"There was some disappointment on the players' side, another source with knowledge of the situation said, because the league did not offer a response to the union's proposal that was submitted in late December," ESPN's Alexa Philippou reported. "The expectation coming out of Monday's meeting, the source said, was that the league now understood that it was its turn to respond."

During the latest episode of her "Show Me Something" podcast, Cunningham commented on the CBA negotiations.

"We had a big old meeting this week. Negotiations are in process in hopes of getting it moving because it has not been moving at all. Both sides are kind of getting frustrated, but I know, us players are holding our ground, so it should be interesting," Cunningham said, via OutKick. "At the end of the day, depending on where these negotiations go, like if you give these players what they want. You’re gonna get all the best players; therefore, you’re gonna win. Therefore, your ticket sales are gonna be up. Everything’s gonna be up."

Cunningham continued, "It sucks because how our negotiations are going, it’s like we’re the laughingstock of sports right now."

Aug 17, 2025; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) and Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) warm up before the start of the game against the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images© David Butler II-Imagn Images

Cunningham then took a direct shot at WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert.

"Our commissioner, right now, even though we’re not agreeing on negotiations, we’re barely even talking at all. Like she could still go on other social media platforms and be like, ‘Hey, I believe in our product. I love our product.’ Because that gives off a different feel than just not saying anything and acting like we don’t exist."

This isn't the first time Sophia has taken aim at the WNBA's leadership.

A few months ago, the outspoken guard for the Fever ripped Engelbert and the league's leadership group.

"I'm just tired of our league," Cunningham said in October, via CBS Sports. "They need to step up and be better. Our leadership from top to bottom needs to be held accountable. I think there are a lot of people in position of powers in the WNBA who, they might be really great business people, but they don't know s--- about basketball. And that's gotta change."

Clearly, Cunningham hasn't softened her stance on Engelbert.

This story was originally published by The Spun on Feb 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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What changes latest WNBA CBA proposal includes

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 00:23:19 +0000

Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

What changes latest WNBA CBA proposal includes appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

While the talk of the WNBA has been around the CBA and what changes should be made as the league is ascending in popularity year by year, the latest proposal is one that will interest fans. As negotiations have been ongoing regarding a WNBA CBA, the changes in the most recent proposal deal in part with revenue sharing and housing.

According to Annie Costabile of Front Office Sports (FOS), the alteration in the revenue-sharing percentage is “marginal.” Plus, the league and the union have spoken more about “team-provided housing.”

“The WNBA’s latest proposal includes marginal changes to the revenue-sharing percentage. That percentage does not meet or exceed 15% of total league revenue, sources tell me,” Costabile wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

“Additionally, the league has reengaged with the union’s push for team-provided housing in a limited capacity,” Costabile wrote in her story for FOS. “The union previously proposed two developmental player roster spots per team, which the league conceded to in its last proposal. These players will only be eligible to play a certain number of games and will receive a check for each game they play in addition to a stipend. They will also have access to certain benefits like housing and medical.”

Talking more about those concessions, especially regarding the housing aspect, ESPN’s Alexa Philippou gives a brief breakdown on how it will work for each type of player in the WNBA, whether it be a developmental player, etc.

“The WNBA’s latest proposal included some concessions on housing: 1 bedrooms would be available for players on their applicable minimum salary & with 0 years of service (2026-28 only). Developmental players would get studio apts. No significant updates on rev share,” Philippou wrote on X.

It remains to be seen where discussions go from here regarding the WNBA CBA.

Related: Nneka Ogwumike named to TIME’s 2026 Closers list for WNBA advocacy

Related: Dream free agent Brionna Jones suffers meniscus tear while playing overseas

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WNBA has no counter for players’ proposal as CBA talks resume and clock ticks

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 23:27:28 +0000

The WNBA and the players' association continued labor negotiations.

WNBA officials and the players union met Monday in New York for a few hours to try to make progress on a new collective bargaining agreement as ongoing negotiations potentially threaten the scheduled start of the 2026 season.

Monday marked the first in-person meeting including players since the WNBA playoffs and came at a time when CBA talks had stalled with the upcoming season slated to begin in 95 days.

Nearly three hours passed before people started to trickle out of the elevators and into the Olympic Tower lobby.

Liberty owner Clara Wu Tsai was the first person spotted leaving. Stefanie Dolson left shortly after her.

Moments later, WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike walked out alongside Brianna Turner, Alysha Clark and WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson.

Asked in passing for a comment after the meeting, Ogwumike said, “Sorry, we can’t.”

The league also declined comment.

Nneka Ogwumike is pictured during a September 2024 game. AP

A source with knowledge of the situation described the meeting as a “step back in the right direction,” but the meeting produced no new proposal. In fact, the WNBPA is still waiting for a response from the league regarding a proposal the union shared six weeks ago.

The WNBA coming to the table without a counterproposal “set the tone” early, the source said.

Instead, the two sides spent the time discussing their own philosophies, sentiments and reasonings behind each side’s stances.

The union walked away from the meeting expecting the WNBA to share a counterproposal “soon,” though there’s no exact timeline set, according to the source.

Kelsey Plum and Napheesa Collier planned on being at the meeting, but flight issues pushed them to participate virtually. Breanna Stewart, who was scheduled to play in an Unrivaled game later, and Elizabeth Williams, who’s playing overseas, were among the 40 players who tuned into the meeting remotely.

Cathy Engelbert is pictured at a Liberty game in May 2025. Michelle Farsi for the NY Post

Other attendees included WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, Sun president Jennifer Rizzotti and other members of the league’s labor relations committee. Seattle co-owner Sue Bird was also in attendance, while Mercury owner Mat Ishbia participated virtually.

Kelsey Plum said last week at Unrivaled’s tour stop in Philadelphia that she planned to “learn a lot” from Monday’s meeting.

“This is a meeting that, I think everyone understands what’s at stake, timeline-wise,” Plum said.

Little progress has been made in recent weeks, and the league’s delayed reply to the WNBPA’s most recent offer has been the cause of frustration for some players, including Liberty guard Natasha Cloud.

“We will not f–king move until y’all move,” Cloud said Friday.

Players are asking for roughly 30 percent of gross revenue share as well as a $10.5 million salary cap. Meanwhile, the WNBA has offered 70 percent of the net revenue share (which equates to roughly 15 percent of gross league and team revenue share) and a $5 million salary cap.

In the meantime, the WNBA’s offseason remains on hold until a new deal is ratified. That includes a two-team expansion draft, free agency and the college draft. A strike isn’t out of the question either.r, with Azura Stevens saying last week that she was “prepared for” one.

“If the league wants to play around, and we don’t have a CBA, I have money. I’m getting paid from Unrivaled, and I have other revenues of income as well,” Stevens said. “So, it’s really their loss. So, that’s why I think that it’s just ridiculous that they’ve dragged it on this long.”

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Brittney Griner Shares Details on Her Belongings Returned After Prison Release

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 01:17:57 +0000

Brittney Griner and the Atlanta Dream did not finish the 2025 WNBA season as they hoped. After finishing the regular season with a 30-14 record, the Dream earned the No. 3 seed in the playoffs. But their postseason run was short-lived, falling to the Caitlin Clark-less Indiana Fever 2-1 in the opening round.

Still, Griner has proven over her 12-year career that she is one of the best players in WNBA history. The former Phoenix Mercury center has earned 10 All-Star selections and won a WNBA title in 2014. However, in 2025, her first season in Atlanta, Griner took on a reduced role, averaging career lows of 9.8 points and 5.2 rebounds while finishing the season coming off the bench.

Atlanta Dream center Brittney Griner (42).© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Throughout her time with the Mercury, Griner also played for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia from 2015 to 2022. In February 2022, Griner was arrested at an airport near Moscow after Russian customs found vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage. She spent 293 days in a Russian prison before being released in a prisoner swap in December of that year.

Fast forward to February 2026, Griner finally received her belongings back from her apartment in Russia. Among the items the former Baylor center recovered were a hand-drawn photo of herself, 600 Czech koruna, a photo of her and her wife, Cherelle, several pieces of jewelry and a device she used to cook with while in prison.

"Finally got back my belongings from my apartment in Russia," Griner wrote on Instagram. "Full unboxing video is out on my YouTube channel now. Link in story. 💪🏾"

With the 2025 WNBA season ending, Griner now sees her one-year, $214,466 deal with the Dream end, becoming an unrestricted free agent. She can officially sign a new contract on March 11, when free agency opens.

Related: Indiana Fever Star Sophie Cunningham Reacts to Lindsey Vonn Injury Before Olympics

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Caitlin Clark remains 'very confident' new WNBA CBA gets done

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 20:40:22 +0000

During Caitlin Clark's debut on NBC's "Basketball Night In America," the Iowa women's basketball legend and current Indiana Fever star point guard shared her perspective on the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations between the WNBA and the WNBPA, which have clouded the league's offseason.

“Well, honestly, I don’t think it’s just a big moment for the WNBA, I think all of women’s sports, I think this is one of the biggest moments we’ve ever had. I feel very confident that we’re going to get something done and that’s because we’re in this moment because of the product we put on the floor, so we need to be able to continue to do that. I know everybody’s working really hard.

"There’s a meeting tomorrow that’s super important. I truly do believe we’re going to get something done here in the next couple weeks, but, like you said, there’s a lot of boxes that we still need to check. We’ve added two new teams. There’s going to be more players than ever and then we have to get into free agency and then have a normal draft as well. So, there’s a lot of things left to do, but I really do feel confident that both sides are going to reach a deal soon," Clark said on Sunday night.

While the league recently announced the 2026 schedules for each team, the clock is certainly ticking to get a deal done in time to conduct expansion drafts for both the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, for WNBA free agency and for the 2026 WNBA draft. Plus, franchises need an appropriate training camp period without risking a delay to the season.

If an agreement is reached without delay to the start of the 2026 season, the Fever would play their first matchup on May 9 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse against Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews

This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Caitlin Clark remains 'very confident' new WNBA CBA gets done

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WNBA Star Angel Reese Issues Lofty Demand To League

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 23:09:46 +0000

While there's a lot of uncertainty surrounding the WNBA at this time, Angel Reese made it clear that she knows what she wants.

Reese has been a double-double machine since entering the WNBA in 2024, averaging 14.1 points and 12.9 rebounds per game. Although she's been highly productive, the Chicago Sky have gone 23-61 over the past two seasons. She expressed her concerns about the franchise during an interview with the Chicago Tribune.

“I’m not settling for the same s--- we did this year,” Reese said. “We have to get good players. We have to get great players. That’s a nonnegotiable for me. I’m willing and wanting to play with the best. And however I can help to get the best here, that’s what I’m going to do this offseason to make sure we attract the best of the best, because we can’t settle for what we have this year.”

Reese later confirmed in December that she plans on sticking around with the Sky. Will there be a 2026 season though? The WNBA doesn't have a new collective bargaining agreement in place. The players would obviously like to receive a bigger cut from the league's revenue.

When asked this week about the pay disparity between men's and women's basketball, Reese replied, "There's nothing that we shouldn't get."

Sep 3, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) warms up before a WNBA game against the Connecticut Sun at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images© Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

What are the demands?

As of this Wednesday, the WNBA and players' union have not yet reached a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement. They met earlier this week for a few hours, according to ESPN's Alexa Philippou.

"The gathering was based more on sharing the sentiments, philosophies and perspectives driving each side's positions and having honest dialogue around those viewpoints, sources said, as opposed to exchanging new proposals," Philippou wrote. "Sources told ESPN it was valuable for both sides to meet in person, ask questions and receive direct answers, as they look to break the monthlong stalemate in talks, with the 2026 season scheduled to begin in less than 100 days and the need for a deal increasingly urgent."

The WNBAPA has reportedly proposed a deal where the players receive 30% of gross revenue with a $10.5 million salary cap. The league, however, would much rather have a $5 million salary cap.

We'll see how these negotiations play out.

This story was originally published by The Spun on Feb 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Big takeaways from WNBA CBA meeting, Unrivaled reaches new heights + is it UConn vs. everybody?

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 21:54:29 +0000

Hoops 360 host Cassandra Negley and UConn women's basketball beat reporter for CT Insider Maggie Vanoni highlight the most important takeaways from the WNBA and WNBPA’s meeting this past Monday. Are the sides closer or further from securing a CBA? 

The duo also dives into Unrivaled’s massive weekend in Philly, UConn’s continued dominance, and what it all means for the women’s basketball landscape. Plus, Athletes Unlimited and WNBA guard Kia Nurse joins the show to share her perspective on the CBA, discuss free agency, and talk about her alma mater, #1 UConn.

Got questions or topics you want covered? Drop them in the comments and we’ll hit them on a future episode.

01:11 - What are the biggest takeaways from the WNBA CBA meeting

07:57 - How do WNBA CBA negotiations affect the Connecticut Sun?

16:40 - What are the biggest takeaways from Unrivaled's record-breaking weekend in Philly?

33:43 - What would it take for a team to knock off undefeated UConn?

41:49 - Hoops 360 welcomes WNBA and Athletes Unlimited guard Kia Nurse

01:05:43 - Player Spotlights of the Week: Allie Ziebell & Marina Mabrey

01:08:36 - Upcoming games to watch: Unrivaled & college hoops

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