Kelsey Plum, a star player for the Los Angeles Sparks and vice president of the WNBPA, has emphasized the critical need for collaboration between players and the league as they work towards a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). With the 2026 WNBA season approaching, Plum made it clear that players are eager to compete this season and noted that a strike would be detrimental to both parties involved. She stated, “I want to play, and players want to play. Obviously we’re going to continue to negotiate… a strike would be the worst thing for both sides.”
The WNBA has set a March 10 deadline for finalizing the new CBA. Failure to reach an agreement by this date could have ramifications for the upcoming season. To expedite negotiations, the league recently put forth a counterproposal, prompting comments from New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart, who indicated that the specifics of the proposal remain undisclosed but suggested that progress may be possible.
Throughout the offseason, communication between the WNBA and the WNBPA has seen proposals met with critique, particularly surrounding revenue sharing. As negotiations intensified in late February with the league rejecting a revenue-sharing proposal from the union as “unrealistic,” both parties appeared to have diverging views. However, Stewart conveyed a sense of progress in discussions regarding revenue sharing, acknowledging, “We have agreed on a rev share, we just are struggling to agree on the model.”
While NBA Commissioner Adam Silver offered to assist in negotiations, his inactive presence in discussions has raised concerns among players. Like Plum, Stewart expressed that a strike wouldn’t serve the interests of either side, underlining the urgency to find common ground before the deadline.
With the clock ticking, the potential for a strike remains on the table, as players granted themselves that power back in December. Nonetheless, there appears to be cautious optimism that key issues may be closer to resolution, provided both sides can refine their proposals.
The ongoing negotiations reflect a commitment to enhancing the future of the league, emphasizing the players’ determination to ensure a successful season ahead.