The CBA discussions have been going on for over one year now. It gained some traction after the 2025 WNBA All-Star game, but the WNBPA was unhappy with the proposals sent by the league. After every proposal, many players criticized the league for its inconsiderate approach to the CBA. President Nneka Ogwumike led the charge just as Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart backed her up every step.
WNBA fans lash out at Nneka Ogwumike for Project B signing amid CBA standoff, calling it ‘unprofessional’. But the player stayed true to her duty toward the league and WNBPA and is pushing for the best deal for the players.
Now that her efforts might have delayed the CBA signing, she earned a special recognition from TIME magazine.
Nneka Ogwumike Wins TIME 2026 Closers Award
The WNBPA president was the face of the players’ association and held immense power, representing 140+ players in the deal. While she had vice presidents and other advisors to guide her, her decisions impacted the CBA discussions and players’ stance.
During the lengthy, difficult discussion, she not only kept the players united but also offered league responses that forced them to revise the proposals. TIME acknowledged her role and actions by presenting her with TIME’s “The Closers 2026” award.
"These are just the things that we all should be doing with whatever privilege that we have."
— TIME (@TIME) February 5, 2026
President of the WNBA players’ union, Nneka Ogwumike is part of the Class of 2026 TIME Closers, 18 extraordinary Black leaders working toward greater equality.
See the full list:… pic.twitter.com/ncjQAYOrZg
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More importantly, this is not just another honor for the 10-time All-Star, as it represents her dedicated work as a Black leader towards equality in the United States.
The Storm forward made her stance clear from the start, as closer to her retirement years, she wants to leave the players and the league in better places
Nneka Ogwumike Wants More Millionaires In WNBA
The WNBPA made its non-negotiable demands public, sharing them with the league and posting them on social media. While there is no hidden agenda from the players’ association, the president also shared her expectations for the CBA.
“When you look at how much is being made, that is basically a decimal,” Ogwumike told TIME. “A fair share is all we’re looking for. And it’s more than a million.”
The new proposal hands out $1 million salaries to the top earners on the team, while the median salary also saw a hefty 4x increase from current levels. It’s up to the players’ association to decide whether these meet their needs.