Right after the Las Vegas Aces lifted the 2025 WNBA championship, the CBA negotiation news took over the headlines. While those were constant talking points throughout the season, the criticism and urge for negotiation intensified severely.
Now with the deadline extended to November 30, the restlessness is there. Napheesa Collier warned WNBA players against the potential outcome of backing down from CBA Negotiations, as she understands the strength is in the unity. But with Project B, and even Collier’s own Unrivaled, circling the league, it’s hard to find a reason to keep players together.
WNBA Players’ Unity Under Threat With Project B’s Rise
The 30-day extension aims to find a solution to the terms that are holding up the CBA confirmation. Although many of these are commercial terms, players could find a solution with the new leagues, including the Euro League, which has always been an option for them.
Former WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike signs with a new professional women’s basketball league, “Project B”, which further complicates things. The president set an example for the players who are looking for a solution amid the CBA standoff, and given the compensation other leagues are offering, many would look to prioritize the Project B over the WNBA.
Project B — a new global women’s basketball league launching in 2026 — is offering players $2M+ per year, with multiyear deals worth 8 figures and equity stakes, per @FOS
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 6, 2025
That’s far above the WNBA’s current $249K supermax 😳
Seattle Storm star and WNBPA president Nneka… pic.twitter.com/Xl9p86wYFM
Players like Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese are already making money off the court and have leverage to accept lower pay in the leagues, but not all rookies, even veterans, have that advantage, who would be totally dependent on the CBA terms and WNBA pay. For them, such newer leagues are an opportunity to cash in their ‘active days’.
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While the foreign players have different needs from the CBA negotiations, veterans and rookies also seek options better suited to them. The difference in interest, other lucrative opportunities, and the CBA Standoff could affect the players’ unity.
But will this gap between players benefit Cathy Engelbert and other league authorities? Once the financial needs are met, the players might also look to settle for the terms given by the league if they want the WNBA to continue its business; otherwise, there will be a work stoppage, which will not only impact the players but also everyone associated with the business model.
WNBA Needs Smooth Sailing Negotiations
As much as the players need the league to succeed, the league also needs them to make that possible. Losing any one big-name player might not impact the league’s working, but it will definitely slow down their growth and eventually affect their ‘value’.
It is essential to note that the WNBPA agreed to the extension under special conditions, which will allow them to opt out of the negotiation once again with two days’ notice, irrespective of the league’s proposals.
Therefore, the WNBA will have to act smart and quickly to retain players in the league, or else they will soon become the ‘player feeders’ for their competitors only.