THE WNBA and its actors have yet to agree on a new collective agreement.
The current CBA expired after the 2025 season. The league and its players have yet to agree on a new deal. The deadline is currently set for January 9, 2026. What happens if there is no agreement by then?
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Well, the league’s players voted for a “significant” decision, according to a WNBAPA spokesperson.
The WNBAPA announced that 98 percent of participating players voted to give the union’s executive committee the power to “call a strike if necessary.” Among all WNBA players, 93 percent voted in the latest poll.
CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 23: Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky and Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever watch during the second half against the Chicago Sky on June 23, 2024 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
The WNBAPA threatens this decision.
“The players have spoken,” the WNBPA said in a statement. “Through a decisive vote with historic participation, our members have authorized the WNBPA Executive Committee to call a strike if necessary. The players’ decision is an inevitable response to the state of negotiations with the WNBA and its teams.”
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However, a strike is not imminent.
“The players’ vote constitutes neither a call for an immediate strike nor an intention to continue it,” the press release continued. “Rather, it is a categorical affirmation of the players’ confidence in their leadership and their unwavering solidarity in the face of ongoing efforts to divide, conquer and undervalue them.”
New York Liberty starter Breanna Stewart knows a big move might be necessary.
“What we’re doing right now isn’t really working,” Stewart said. “If they don’t want to move, we’re going to get to that point where we’re going to hit a stalemate.
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“If we’re not valued the way we know we should be, as every digital situation tells us, then we’re just not going to do something that doesn’t make sense to us.”
WNBA wants to avoid strike
“While we recognize the players’ right to authorize a future work stoppage, we strongly disagree with the WNBPA’s characterization of the current state of negotiations, which fundamentally misrepresents the discussions underway at the bargaining table,” the WNBA said. said in a statement.
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“It is difficult to understand claims that the league is resistant to change,” the league added, citing the proposed salary increases and “a new uncapped revenue sharing model that would ensure continued salary growth tied to revenue growth.”
WNBA players want significant pay raises, while the league wants to stay smart on business terms.
This story was originally published by The yarn on December 21, 2025, where he first appeared in the WNBA section. Add The Spun as Favorite source by clicking here.
