Caitlin Clark continues to attract attention WNBA with his electrifying style and headline-grabbing presence. However, Breanna Stewart says the tension surrounding an approaching deadline could put the planned start date of the season in jeopardy.
THE Indiana fever the star and the Freedom of New York Forward urged the WNBA and its players’ union to finalize a labor agreement as the March 10 lockout deadline approaches. During a press briefing at USA Basketball training camp on Saturday, Clark was asked about the 17-month negotiation cycle and she offered a solution that sounded more like a plea for reason:
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“I don’t understand why we don’t walk into a room and fix things and shake hands… You look each other in the eye, you shake hands, you respect both sides. To me, that’s what I’d like to see.”
According to Breanna Stewart, vice president of the WNBPA, sitting in a room for hours until a deal is reached is unprecedented for the league, but she believes it is necessary for the well-being of the members:
“We want to get the deal done. We want to have the season. We just need to find the right numbers that reflect it.”
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The union submitted a key counterproposal Friday night that lowered its revenue-sharing request to 26 percent of league gross revenue. This revised figure is down from an earlier request of 27.5%, with players trying to close the gap with the WNBA’s current offer of just 15%. In addition to revenue sharing, the union is seeking a $9.5 million salary cap.
It even got to the point that Stewart and Kelsey Plum released a three-page letter on March 2 expressing “serious concerns” about the negotiations, according to the Associated Press.
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Stewart later characterized a follow-up call as a step toward progress, saying:
“This call made me feel better… Sometimes you have to have difficult conversations,” she said (h/t The Associated Press). “I felt better after that and I know we ended that call understanding that we represent the largest number (of players) and we have work to do and we are going to do that work.”
Other prominent players in Miami camp echoed sentiment of fair deal
Angel Reese stressed that “everyone’s voice is really important” in negotiations, while Paige Bueckers added that she found the confidence to use her voice to advocate for the majority of players.
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Under current projections, the WNBA salary cap could increase from $1.5 million in 2025 to $5.75 million in 2026. This 283.3% increase mimics the “Wildcat” style of growth seen during professional sports’ early expansions.
However, Stewart admitted it would be difficult to meet the deadline. Even if a deal is reached quickly, she cautioned that the league still has to manage an expansion draft and free agency for more than 100 players.
“You shouldn’t have to rush the expansion draft or free agency for the 100 and whatever number of free agents there are. So, in time? I think it’ll be a little difficult. But I don’t know.”
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The league has listed March 10 as the deadline to finalize a list of conditions. If the deadline passes without a deal, the WNBA will face its first potential work stoppage in years, threatening momentum in its 30th season.
Related: Latest news involving Caitlin Clark emerges Thursday
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on March 8, 2026, where he first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as Favorite source by clicking here.
