The WNBA offseason freeze has changed viewing habits. The alternatives are no longer theoretical.
This shift became clearer in January 2026 when Natasha Cloud publicly addressed Unrivaled’s next move and what it could mean if the league’s union standoff continues. Speaking on the Be Great Academy podcast, Cloud expressed her excitement for Unrivaled’s first-ever tour stop and, more importantly, why the league represents stability at a time when the WNBA schedule remains unresolved.
Advertisement
This was not casual praise. It was Cloud who defined his position as uncertainty continues to surround the WNBA’s collective bargaining negotiations. Unrivaled’s inaugural tour will take place on January 30 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, with four teams spread over two games. For the Cloud, location has personal weight. “I’m really excited,” Cloud said. “I don’t know if I’ve played in front of my whole family since 2015 when I graduated from St. Joseph’s in West Philly.”
This moment functions as more than a return home. Philadelphia is the city that shaped Cloud, from his school days to his college career at St. Joseph’s. For this reason, Unrivaled chose Philadelphia as its first out-of-market destination.
“It’s exciting for my inner child who wanted nothing more than to have a women’s basketball team in our city,” Cloud added. “It makes me so happy for the city that helped raise me, helped shape me.”
This emotional connection reinforces the current importance of Unrivaled’s expansion. It’s not just about filling calendar space. It enters directly into markets where the players are already entrenched and the public is ready.
Instagram/@phantombc
Cloud’s comments went beyond enthusiasm. She addressed the question that looms over the entire women’s basketball landscape. What happens if the WNBA situation deteriorates further?
Advertisement
“I can’t say whether or not there is a backup plan,” Cloud said. “But I know Unrivaled is prepared in many different cases.” She then explained why this preparation stands out. “We own the space we play in,” Cloud said. “If we wanted to stay here as Unrivaled players with fairness in this league, we could stay, train, play and have another season if necessary.”
This clarity is the position referenced in the title. Cloud does not threaten an exit. However, she recognizes leverage. Player equity, facility control and financial support provide unparalleled flexibility that is not dependent on WNBA deadlines.
The ABC’s unresolved pressure point
Meanwhile, the WNBA and WNBPA remain separated by structural disagreements. The main dispute is over revenue sharing and long-term financial modeling.
Advertisement
The gap is about $56 million. According to the players’ proposal, the league would retain approximately $245 million. Under the league’s deduction-first framework, it would receive about $301 million. This difference proved unshakable.
The tension deepens when expansion enters the conversation. The WNBA is expected to generate more than $925 million in expansion fees by 2030 through long-term payouts. These dues are excluded from the players’ share of income, which has become a major sticking point for the union. From the league’s perspective, adopting the players’ proposed $10.5 million salary cap would result in projected losses approaching $700 million.
For this reason, progress has stalled. A moratorium is already in place and no timetable for resolution has been established. Cloud’s open-mindedness towards Unrivaled is not an isolated optimism. It reflects a broader recalibration in women’s basketball as players evaluate where safety, fairness and opportunity intersect.
Unrivaled’s stop in Philadelphia on January 30 is the immediate next step. Beyond that, the challenges continue until spring. If the WNBA gridlock persists, the alternatives will cease to be secondary options and begin to become structural.
Advertisement
Cloud made his position clear. She is excited about the growth of Unrivaled. She appreciates what it offers players. And if uncertainty persists, she knows that another path already exists.
The position Natasha Cloud makes her position known on Unrivaled’s final leg amid growing WNBA uncertainty appeared first on EssentiallySport.
