Over the years, the WNBA has had a lot of struggles. To gain momentum and visibility, the league has often remained in the shadows. Unfortunately, the moment it did witness a boom, things went awfully wrong for the league.
Recently, the cash flow and viewership ratings have increased significantly. But with that, the demands of the players to give them a better revenue cut have also increased. With the CBA deadline already extended by 30 days, things are looking extremely volatile.
Meanwhile, in light of the current situation, ESPN basketball analyst Monica McNutt has expressed concerns about a possible lockout.
Monica McNutt Teases Possible Lockout As Both Parties Yet To Come To A Closure
McNutt recently sat down with Yahoo Sports Daily hosts Caroline Fenton and Jason Fitz. Upon diving deep into the matter, McNutt raised some worrisome issues.
First of all, the longer the CBA negotiations drag on, the more valuable time the league will waste. Although it’s already November, the authorities had to reach a conclusion by December 2025. Otherwise, the players will start missing training camp for the next season.
And this might play a pivotal role in the athletes opting for a work stoppage. Unfortunately, according to McNutt, the CBA negotiations still look grim. In fact, both parties still remain far apart from the solution.
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“I know that no one wants to go to a lockout and you’ve got. You gotta miss training camp, start missing training camp time, which would be in May, the end of April, so you got some time to figure it out. But These sides are really far apart,” said McNutt.
"Housing has come up as a sticking point … I think the question is fair that if these salaries go up, is housing still a part of the deal?"@McNuttMonica speaks on new topics and concerns that have come up during WNBA CBA negotiations and more 👀
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) November 6, 2025
(via Yahoo Sports Daily) pic.twitter.com/ImlV0Uz5aF
Surely, such a statement will only further intensify the situation. Meanwhile, in a recent move, WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike joined an alternative basketball league, Project B.
Nneka Ogwumike Further Teases Lockout Possibilities After Project B Signing
With the WNBA struggling, a host of leagues have promised better pay. One of the most notable of them till now has been Unrivaled. However, in a recent announcement, a brand-new league, Project B, has been unveiled. And Ogwumike has become the first one to register for the league, which is scheduled to take place in November 2026.
Speaking about the USP, the league has promised its athletes salaries of up to $2 million. And most importantly, they have also promised to give equity shares to the athletes.
“It’s not something that’s usually offered to us, and by us, I mean women athletes. So, for there to be an entry level of equity across the board was eye-catching. It’s something that I stand for, obviously,” Ogwumike said, justifying her decision.
Nneka Ogwumike has signed a contract with Project B, the latest pro women's basketball league that is expected to begin in Europe and Asia next winter. Ogwumike will get an undisclosed salary and equity stake in the league. https://t.co/gxdniC7MQR
— ESPN Women's Hoops (@ESPN_WomenHoop) November 5, 2025
Now, while fans have lashed out at Ogwumike for this decision, it creates a concerning trend. If more players migrate to other leagues for financial gain, the WNBA will soon be in jeopardy.