The 2026 season would be bigger, not in mere size but also commercially. With the new CBA terms, players are earning in millions, as Aliyah Boston set a record with her four-year $6.3 million contract with the Indiana Fever. Satou Sabally also earns close to a million dollars per season after moving to the New York Liberty.
While the player had been very critical about the WNBA’s steps and voiced concerns over the league’s ability to meet the players’ needs, after the CBA, the player has nothing but praise for the WNBA commissioner.
Satou Sabally Praises Cathy Engelbert For CBA Confirmation
The former Wings star had been vocal about many ‘inconveniences’ in the league, as Sabally slammed the scheduling issues in the WNBA and also asked the league to raise the offer when the CBA talks were going on.
But now that the CBA is on paper, satisfying the WNBPA’s needs, the versatile forward spoke highly about the league commissioner. In a recent interview, she said, “I feel grateful to have amazing player leadership. Our Union did an amazing job. And Kudos to Cathy, you know. She really wanted the new CBA to work; she did it. It was transformational like she promised it would be.”
Satou Sabally credits the WNBA commissioner for delivering on the promise of a “transformational” new CBA. pic.twitter.com/BJq7UusaBw
— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) April 19, 2026
Players saw a minimum 400% raise in their salaries and also multiple facilities via the CBA. The franchises also received a massive salary cap to build a competitive roster, making the season more interesting.
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With the help of this CBA deal alone, the New York Liberty managed to add the player of Salbally’s magnitude to their roster, and the player also revealed her reasons for moving away from the 2025 finalists for the NY side.
Satou Sabally Opens Up On Reasons For Joining Liberty Team
The forward was one of the top performers for the Mercury team that reached the 2025 finals. They defeated the Minnesota Lynx and the New York Liberty in the postseason, and now the player has chosen the Eastern Conference side over the Mercury.
So when asked about the reason to join the Liberty team, Sabally said, “Join my friends. Really, truly join my friends and people, and get closer to home. I know the time difference, so I could only talk to my little brother before practice at 6:00 am. After 2 pm, it’s over.I know the time difference, I could only talk to my little brother before practice at 6:00 am. After 2 pm, it’s over.”
Why Sabally chose a team that she and the Mercury defeated on the playoffs last year:#WNBA pic.twitter.com/KfQ9zsFFyr
— Geoff Magliocchetti (@GeoffJMags) April 17, 2026
The Liberty team certainly benefited from the 29-year-old star’s decision and is now one of the favorites to win the title, too.