The WNBA added a couple of expansion teams this year. With the likes of Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire all geared up to embrace the high-octane action, fans of both teams are running the risk of having a dull stretch of action. That’s because, considering how the CBA talks have panned out, the possibility of a complete WNBA lockout cannot be ignored.
Players have been demanding pay equity for eighteen months now. Starting with a 30% revenue-sharing demand, the WNBPA has reduced the same to 26% now. Yet, the league is not ready to give the players what they want. Looking at the situation, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson extended his support to the players.
Kenny Atkinson Wants WNBA To Accept Pay Equity
The Cleveland Cavaliers will be getting a women’s team in the league soon. But that might get jeopardized if the current negotiations do not work out soon. As the back-and-forth between the players’ union and the league continues, the March 10 deadline imposed by the WNBA looks like yet another date that will fail to produce any fruitful results.
Celebrating International Women’s Day, Atkinson doubled down on the state of female basketball in the league. And very clearly, he was not impressed with what was going on. Ahead of their game against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Cavaliers’ head coach urged the players to continue with their demands.
“Go get your money. Go for it. That’s what it’s about. There’s an attention to detail, especially offensively with the sets they run. [I try] to find a good ATO (after timeout play) or set that I haven’t seen. … You really can grab a lot of good stuff. I want the players to push for what they think is just and deserved,” Atkinson said.
Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson backs WNBA players as labor talks continue https://t.co/9c3twIXnYF
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) March 9, 2026
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Atkinson also admitted how he had not tuned into WNBA games just three years back. But now, with the league boosted by the likes of Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark, the overall product has become much more interesting.
Meanwhile, keeping the WNBA energy high, Allison Howard recently heaped praises on how women’s sports were booming.
Cleveland WNBA President Allison Howard Hails Women In Sports
There will be no WNBA team for Cleveland till 2028. But the preparations have already started. With 8000 season ticket sales reported already, the excitement is at an all-time high. Recently, to further celebrate the occasion, the NBA G-League team Cleveland Charge, hosted WNBA night.
As part of the promotions, the teams wore customized warm-up gear. Janice Braxton graced the occasion as the crowd enjoyed performances from female performers. Buzzing with excitement, Cleveland WNBA president of business operations Howard said, “I think these women-specific teams across everywhere — WNBA, NWSL, PWHL — those women coming back from winning the Olympics, they are filling up NHL arenas. It truly is rising tides raise all ships.”
.@clevelandwnba fans showed up and dressed for the occasion tonight! #ChargeOn #TogetherStartsNow 🖤 ✨🧡 pic.twitter.com/7c9s6Oc3dI
— Cleveland Charge (@ChargeCLE) March 7, 2026
Well, the support is coming from all sides at the moment. But the big question hovering now is, will the WNBA give the players what they deserve?