WNBA star Caitlin Clark made her NBC broadcast debut this week ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers–New York Knicks matchup. Her appearance sparked debate after Reggie Miller compared her to Payton Pritchard, but Clark used the platform to weigh in on the ongoing Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations, alongside Maria Taylor, Carmelo Anthony, and Miller.
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The CBA originally expired on Oct. 31, 2025, and the WNBA and the Players’ Association have entered a grim status quo after the latest deadline expired on Jan. 9. With the two sides yet to find common ground, the clock continues to tick.
Amid uncertain times, the WNBA recently released a 44-game season slate, including schedules for expansion teams, the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire. With no clear path forward, the league is set to tip off on May 8, with a scheduled break for the FIBA World Cup. Additionally, key preseason matchups are written in stone.
Fans are feverishly awaiting an opening night tipoff between former No.1 picks Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever) and Paige Bueckers (Dallas Wings). While Ballislife assembled the top 30 WNBA matchups to watch for the 30th anniversary, the future of the 2026 season is dubious.
With a transformative CBA ahead, Clark emphasized the significance of a resolution. Despite a bleak outlook, her glass remains half-full.
“Honestly, I don’t think it’s just a big moment for the WNBA; I think all of women’s sports,” Clark said on NBC’s live broadcast. “I think this is one of the biggest moments we’ve ever had. I feel very confident that we’re going to get something done. And that’s because we’re in this moment because of the product we put on the floor…”
Clark’s comment came less than 24 hours before the WNBPA and WNBA met for nearly three hours in New York City. After a meeting of the minds between the two sides, ESPN’s Alexa Philippou confirmed it was “valuable.” The WNBPA’s latest offer from December is still pending, and the ball remains in the WNBA’s court.
A Pivotal Meeting
A meeting of paramount importance considered 40 players, including Napheesa Collier, Kelsey Plum, Nneka Ogwumike, Brianna Turner, Alysha Clark, and Stefanie Dolson, who attended in person. In addition, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, Connecticut Sun President Jennifer Rizzotti, New York Liberty Owner Clara Wu Tsai, and Seattle Storm minority owner Sue Bird were present.
While both sides left empty-handed, Clark remains optimistic and “confident” that a deal will be inked within a couple of weeks.
Although the league was already trending upward, Clark has undoubtedly helped push the envelope. Drafted by the Indiana Fever first overall in 2024, the WNBA experienced unprecedented growth following Clark’s rookie campaign, delivering another record-setting season.
That included a 48 percent increase in attendance, a 548 percent uptick in All-Star votes, and two billion views across social media. As of July 2024, the WNBA signed an 11-year $2.2 media rights deal with Amazon, Disney, and NBCU.
Caitlin Clark Talks WNBA Growth
The explosion in popularity led teams to play in larger arenas, and several owners began investing in their teams’ futures by developing their own blueprints for new practice facilities. The 2025 season broke barriers, as the league secured record-breaking viewership, partnerships, attendance, merchandise, and more. The WNBA is also set to expand to 18 teams by 2030.
Just 24 years old, Clark is at the forefront of a generation that’s changing the game.
“I mean, it’s incredible, and I remember my first WNBA game,” Clark told NBC studio host Maria Taylor. “When I was a young girl, I went to the Minnesota [Lynx] when they had their dynasty with Maya Moore, and they were playing the Seattle Storm. Now, basically, any arena you go to, it’s sold out. We’re adding two teams, we are up to 14 now. Hopefully, getting to 18 in the next couple of years… Business is booming, and that’s a really good thing. We kind of just gotta keep meeting the moment, the talent’s getting better and better—you see it at the college level coming into the professional game too. I feel very fortunate, and hopefully I have a long career ahead of me as well.”
This isn’t the first time Clark has spoken about the current CBA negotiations. During the USA women’s basketball training camp in December, Clark stressed the stakes of a new agreement.
“This is the biggest moment the WNBA has ever seen,” Clark said. “It’s not something that can be messed up. We’re going to fight for everything that we deserve, but at the same time, we need to play basketball.”
Caitlin Clark is confident the WNBA will reach a new CBA within the next few weeks pic.twitter.com/peJ80KyMZr
— Clark Report (@CClarkReport) February 1, 2026
Key Issues Remain: Salary and Revenue
With the two sides at a standstill, several issues and figures remain disputed. Revenue share remains the most pivotal discussion and one on which the WNBPA and WNBA are not aligned.
According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Philippou, the WNBA is proposing a supermax salary of $1.295 million and an average salary of $540,000 in 2026. Over the years, the maximum salary would surge to $2.4 million in 2031, with an average income of $1 million. Keeping long-term financial sustainability at the forefront, the league has proposed a $5 million salary cap under which players would receive 70% of net revenue. In other words, it’s the remaining revenue after expenses.
These numbers represent a substantial increase from 2025, when the minimum salary was just north of $69,000, and the supermax salary was $249,244. Clark, who’s entering her third WNBA season, signed a four-year $338,056 rookie-scale contract with the Indiana Fever in 2024. Having made just $78,066 last season, these figures hardly represent an athlete who holds the NCAA men’s and women’s all-time scoring record.
Conversely, the WNBPA’s latest proposal has presented a different roadmap. The players would receive 30% of gross revenue, which is revenue before expenses. According to ESPN, the union is seeking a $10.5 million salary cap, which the league previously said would result in up to $700 million in financial losses. While the league has left this proposal on read, both sides remain far apart on what would generate profit. Even a small percentage gap could mean millions in revenue…
What’s at Stake?
Salary and revenue remain the focal point in discussions, but several key benefits are at the center of CBA talks. Points of contention also include player housing. The WNBA included a prior housing stipend in the previous CBA and has expressed a desire to change it. Another topic front and center is the core designation. Similar to an NFL franchise tag, the players have voiced their desire to get rid of this concept.
“There’s a lot of boxes that we still need to check,” said Clark on NBC. “We’ve added two new teams, there’s going to be more players than ever, and then we have to get into free agency. Then have a normal draft as well. There’s a lot of things left to do, but I really do feel confident that both sides are gonna reach a deal here soon.”
Adding to @alexaphilippou recap from yesterday, ESPN has obtained some of the information that was was presented to players at yesterday’s meeting—summarizing the WNBA’s current positions https://t.co/imM5elSO6H pic.twitter.com/T9p2XRP42n
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 3, 2026
Shelburne confirmed 37 proposed improvements from the WNBA. Some, but not all, include additional mental health resources, elimination of marijuana testing, required family rooms during games, free WNBA League Pass (???), complimentary All-Star tickets, increased player salaries tied to revenue growth, and two new developmental player roster spots.
It wasn’t long ago that players boarded commercial flights and shared hotel rooms, but the WNBA introduced charter flights in 2024. The league is now proposing charter flights for preseason, regular-season, and postseason games, as well as first-class travel in and out of team markets.
Additionally, the league introduced a new requirement allowing young children of players and their caregivers to travel with the team, with additional housing provided. Moreover, they’ve floated the idea of an increased salary cap exception for pregnant players, along with a new non-birthing parent leave policy. Above all, it includes trade consents for pregnant players.
My Thoughts on WNBA CBA Negotiations
It’s been just over 15 months since the WNBA players’ union decided to opt out of the CBA in late October 2024. With the original CBA set to run through 2027, it was wise of the players to recognize their value. With popularity and momentum at an all-time high, it would be catastrophic if a lockout or work stoppage were to happen. For the players, fans, the league itself, and may I add, those who cover the WNBA from a journalistic perspective.
Considered one of the fastest-growing brands in 2025, the WNBA has never been so prominent. Capitalizing on NCAA popularity, we are talking about a league that’s only trending upward. Given no signs of slowing down, I wonder whether the WNBPA’s recent proposal would result in millions of losses.
How is that possible following a $2.2 billion dollar media rights deal, combined with an expansion of 18 teams by 2030? Not to mention, expansion fees have surged to $250 million a pop. Let’s be honest, the Golden State Warriors’ ownership group received a discount following a $50 million expansion fee to launch the Golden State Valkyries.
Players Stand Firm
Let’s not talk about the fact that Boston Celtics minority owner Stephen Pagliuca held a record-breaking deal with the Connecticut Sun to relocate the franchise to Boston for $325 million. That topic is for another day. I couldn’t imagine what the fees would look like if and when the league exceeds 18 teams, or even globally, for that matter.
While players authorized a strike, they haven’t reached that stage, but the option sits in their back pockets. A CBA that will affect future generations; we know one thing: the players are standing firm. In fact, New York Liberty guard Cloud emerged as the latest to speak up during Unrivaled’s first-ever tour in Philly.
“We will not f***ing move until y’all move. It would be the worst business decision of any business to not literally pay the players that make your business go without us.”
A reporter (sorry don’t know who) asked Natasha Cloud if she was worried about the lack of a CBA once February 1 rolled around.
Tasha answered as only she could. Raw. Honest. Direct. No punches pulled @theixsports pic.twitter.com/rnnVYSs8DQ
— Rob from Chester, Pa (@knoxrob1) January 30, 2026
Who Will Compromise?
Cloud isn’t wrong— without the players, there isn’t a league. And they are essentially the product. While I understand the league’s concern about long-term financial longevity, the players deserve a massive piece of the pie. Given a significant increase in merchandise sales, ticket sales, and the seven-figure media rights deal, the players are holding their ground on rev share. I would, too, in this case.
What’s most disheartening is that not only has the WNBA not responded to the WNBPA’s most recent offer, but it also failed to show up when it mattered. According to Front Office Sports, the WNBA openly admitted it lacked a planned proposal. Sharing ideas is fine, and all, discussion is vital, but action is necessary.
It’s not all bad, I promise. The WNBA 37 CBA improvements included some key benefits that any professional athlete should have. However, I may have chuckled at the free WNBA League pass offer. That’s what, $26-$30 for the entire year? May I add that it’s hard to fathom that these professional athletes don’t have guaranteed seats to watch notable events such as All-Star Weekend.
With 92 days until tipoff, a deal remains unseen. With expansion drafts, the rookie draft, and free agency looming, the players remain focused on salary structure and revenue. However, some of the non-monetary proposals from the WNBA are equally important.
While several sources confirmed the meeting allowed both sides to speak freely, it ultimately depends on which side is willing to compromise to avoid a lockout.
Be sure to follow Sara Jane on X, @SaraJGamelli
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