WNBA is dreaming of starting its European leg alongside the NBA, with its star power matching the popularity of NBA megastars, too. Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, in particular, pushed the boundaries, bringing in numerous fans to the league and widening its reach. The league enjoyed super productive 2024 and 2025 seasons. But will that continue in the 2026 season?
On the verge of completing its 30th year, the WNBA is actually struggling to put the pieces in place, and the WNBPA is pressuring them with their demands. This tussle resulted in a standoff, which, as per WNBPA, would have a wrong outcome according to the rumors.
WNBA Players Could Opt For Strike
Around mid-December, the WNBPA took a vote on a strike to keep all their options open 98% of the players agreed to the idea and voted in favor of the association’s decision. Nneka Ogwumike cleared the WNBPA’s stance after the strike voting, giving fans some assurance that there won’t be any immediate lockout. But nearly two months after that voting, the governing body failed to make any progress in the discussion.
This standoff is very concerning, as per WNBA analyst Rachel DeMita, who said, ”There have also been rumors that the players might actually strike during NBA All-Star weekend. But I want to point out to you guys something that the WNBPA posted on their Instagram.”\
“It is actually an interesting video, but I don’t think that this is a fair comparison to what the WNBA players are dealing with at this moment in time in 2026. I will also say that the strike that the NBA players did in 1964 was that they did this strike minutes before the All-Star game started. If the WNBA players strike now, they’re not doing much besides stopping the conversations between both sides, and also making it so players don’t have a place to train,” DeMita added.
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While fans would hope to see the deal in place as early as possible, the current situation is not very encouraging either.
WNBPA Could Reject WNBA’s Current CBA Proposal
It has been five days since the WNBA sent the revised proposal. The proposal includes many of the positive aspects the players sought. The league included housing perks and a Cap exception for injured or pregnant players.
Though there are three key points that could lead to another rejection. The first one would be the revenue-sharing model, as there is no upgradation. Secondly, the change in commercials is minimal, and the third is the salary cap value, which is closer to 50% of what the WNBPA is demanding.
Given these non-negotiable points, it’s better for the league to start working on a new offer, unless the strike sends the wrong message to fans.