The CBA discussions are at an important juncture where the upcoming season’s fate relies on every single step. On that note, the face-to-face meeting between WNBA and WNBPA representatives on February 2, in New York, was crucial to getting the breakthrough. Knowing the importance, Kelsey Plum warned the league about the WNBPA’s stand as she and Napheesa Collier were two confirmed members attending the meet.
On the actual day, though, the scenes were different as reports show that both players missed the meeting with the WNBA’s authorities, ready for the meet. Fans didn’t like the attitude and slammed both stars on social media.
Fans React To Kelsey Plum And Napheesa Collier’s Absence In CBA Meeting
According to an ESPN report, the league did not make a counter proposal in the meet where commissioner Cathy Engelbert in the room, along with Suzanne Abair (Atlanta Dream), Kelly Krauskopf (Indiana Fever), Greg Bibb (Dallas Wings), Nadia Rawlinson (Chicago Sky), Jennifer Rizzotti (Connecticut Sun), Mat Ishbia (Phoenix Mercury), and Ginny Gilder (Seattle Storm) represented the league.
As for Plum and Collier, they were flying in from Philadelphia, and a video showed them rushing for the meet but couldn’t make it in time. Yet there were 40+ players joining the meet via Zoom call.
Can you imagine complains about the WNBA owners not taking the players and negotiations serious enough. Releasing this video, and not making the face to face meeting you all wanted. pic.twitter.com/5mxDHCFuVb
— Ken Swift (@kenswift) February 2, 2026
Collier and Plum’s absence was not due to a lack of intent. An undisclosed travel issue prevented them from making it in time. But fans sensed something different.
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A Fan said, “Clowns.”
Clowns.
— CCFC-off season (@sohali2012) February 2, 2026
One fan mentioned, “So unserious.”
So unserious.
— Jami (@The_MomSpot) February 2, 2026
Another fan wrote, “These women are delusional.”
These women are delusional.
— c coll (@cindcoffe) February 2, 2026
A Fan claimed, “They’re gonna lose the season because their PA negotiating team has other interests.”
They’re gonna lose the season because their PA negotiating team has other interests.
— Corey Clayton (@CoreyClayton) February 3, 2026
Another fan commented, “The W is done for. They need to have CC, Angel, Paige, Rickea etc…representing the players. Not these clowns.”
The W is done for. They need to have CC, Angel, Paige, Rickea etc…representing the players. Not these clowns.
— Brian Smith (@coltsfan4077) February 3, 2026
Well before the meeting, WNBA fans urged Caitlin Clark to attend the meeting on behalf of WNBPA. While the fans claimed conflict of interest right from the start, the Lynx star’s recent words regarding her Unrivalled league support their claim, more especially since the player missed the WNBA CBA meeting.
Napheesa Collier Lauds Unrivaled’s New Record
The Unrivalled season 2 moved to Philadelphia as part of their expansion plan, and the crowd showed massive support for the 3-on-3 league. The day one attendance at the Xfinity Mobile arena was over 21K, a venue record for any event, and a record for women’s basketball attendance. Youngster Paige Bueckers drops a confident message as Unrivaled broke Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever attendance record. Phee also praised the new achievement.
“It was unbelievable. You could feel the love tonight. It’s just a testament to what we’re building here, how much people believe in it,” Collier told the media.
With such love for the Unrivaled league and the hard work to make it a huge success, the efforts on the CBA negotiation seem completely opposite, especially after the recent absence from the meeting. Fans would point out the difference.