CBA Negotiation

0:00 - Meeting Didn’t Go Well..
1:03 - Breann Stewart & A’ja Wilson
1:19 - How I Know There Will Be Lockout..
2:08 - Caitlin Controls EVERYTHING
2:41 - Cathy Should Be Embarrassed
4:15 - Partying Didn’t Work With Her
5:25 - Angel Reese Comments CBA
7:33 - Caitlin Clark Comments CBA
9:05 - Interesting..
9:58 - Inside Detailed Look At WNBA Money Issue
13:38 - Final Thoughts

INDIANAPOLIS — As WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressed the media inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse ahead of Saturday night’s All-Star Game, players made their voices heard in a different way — through their warmup gear.

Each All-Star took the court wearing a T-shirt that read: “Pay us what you owe us.”
It was a bold, unified message from the Women’s National Basketball Players’ Association as tensions escalate over ongoing collective bargaining agreement negotiations.

Talks between the WNBPA and league leadership have grown more strained, with a potential work stoppage looming after the current CBA expires on Oct. 31.

While many players described Thursday’s meeting with the league as a “wasted opportunity” that made little progress, Engelbert took a different view.
“We had candid dialogue, and this is part of the process,” she said. “I fully respect the players who are listening. They’re hearing from our owners, and we’re trying to position this league for long-term success.”

Both sides say they want a “transformational” agreement — but have vastly different ideas of what that means. It took the league five months to respond to the union’s initial proposal, and players were not impressed with the counteroffer. Some described it as “disrespectful,” pointing to major disagreements around revenue sharing.

Union president Nneka Ogwumike suggested the league’s offer included fixed salary-cap numbers, though Engelbert denied that characterization.
“We’ve been exploring different revenue-sharing models,” she said. “It will be more lucrative as we go forward because we’re in a stronger position now.”

Engelbert emphasized the league’s goal of increasing salaries and benefits while also keeping a path to profitability for owners.

The union’s firm push for a fluid revenue-sharing system stems from major developments: a new $2.2 billion media rights deal starting in 2026, and expansion fees of $250 million each from new franchises in Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia. On top of that, national TV ratings are up 23%, attendance is at a decades-high, and merchandise sales are breaking records.

Players see those numbers and want a share of the growth. Saturday’s nationally televised All-Star Game became their platform.

Beyond the warmup shirts, Washington Mystics guard Brittney Sykes held up a “Pay The Players” sign while receiving her All-Star MVP award. Breanna Stewart, a member of the WNBPA executive committee, said the demonstration would have happened regardless of how Thursday’s meeting went.

“We wanted to do something united,” Stewart said. “We have strength in numbers, and we know we don’t always get to be together like this. So we used the moment.”

While Engelbert expressed confidence that a deal could be reached before the October deadline, she wouldn’t set a firm date.

“We’re in a good place and we’re going back and forth,” she said.