The WNBA set March 10 as the signing date for the CBA, but had to extend it again after failing to meet the PA’s demands. This time, though, the league took serious steps and called a face-to-face meeting that lasted 12 hours.
Cathy Engelbert provided updates on the marathon meeting, which are positive if not encouraging, considering the details she revealed and the work pending in the CBA deal.
Amid this, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith sent a clear warning to the league not to ruin the ‘wonderful’ league and get the CBA in place.

Stephen A Smith Warns WNBA To Complete CBA Deal Process
WNBA-CBA discussions have been the talk of the town for nearly two years now, and now it’s high time for the league and players to get closure on the same. Stephen A Smith also hinted at ‘ripple effects’ of the delayed or cancelled 2026 season.
On the First Take show, the analyst said, “To Cathy Engelbert, the commissioner of the WNBA, to the WNBA, and to the WNBPA, the women’s union: Y’all better not F this up. Y’all better not F this up.”
Scroll to continue reading
Trending WNBA News
“As much work as y’all have put in, as wonderful and marvelous as you have been collectively as a league, the growth and the maturation that has taken place, you are in danger of messing it up,” he added
While the analyst sees power in the players’ association, Charles Barkley sees things in the opposite sense and even warned the players to be cautious in the CBA discussions.
Charles Barkley Sees WNBA In Command During Discussions
The CBA discussions have two parties; there are two types of supporters. Barkley also supported the players’ demands for higher pay but added that billionaires run the league, and it will be difficult to fight against their financial power.
“I’ve been watching for months, all these people on TV … you can get what you can get. You might not get paid what you’re worth. But you can get paid what you can get,” Charles Barkley said on his podcast.
While the league already offered salaries four to five times higher and other benefits, Napheesa Collier called the WNBPA’s offer ‘Pity Support’ and said Unrivalled is a better alternative. As for the season, the WNBA and the WNBPA need to clear the differences as early as possible.











