The WNBA is still searching for answers that may give its CBA proposal the green light everyone is hoping for. More importantly, with Project B’s latest announcement, the pressure is back on the ‘W’ to smooth the relationships and work on the CBA as early as possible.
Both parties are still poles apart on many key issues, and neither is ready to back down to see the deal through. Interestingly, it is not an overnight ‘mishap’ that led to this stalemate. There were multiple factors that strained the relationship.
Reasons For WNBA and WNBPA Stalemate
Fans are still divided on the CBA delay, as the possibility of the 2026 season is slowly getting thinner. Even though there are supporters for both parties, it all began from the 2023 season, when the league announced a new franchise after 15 years. The addition of Golden State Valkyries hinted at substantial growth in the league’s popularity, while the WNBPA members were still playing in other leagues to meet their financial needs.
The 2024 season intensified the growth that even the league couldn’t (properly) handle the influx of fans, contracts, and even sponsors. In July, the league signed one of its landmark broadcasting deals, giving the WNBPA a chance to push for more.
WNBA CBA negotiations intensified the last six months, but key events long before that played a part of the stalemate between the WNBA and WNBPA. From rival leagues to charter flights to T-shirts, these 11 moments helped lead to WNBA labor strife.https://t.co/qexv4SQpUE
— ESPN Women's Hoops (@ESPN_WomenHoop) January 14, 2026
Though these factors were slightly positive for the league’s growth and players’ visibility, a few points later created tensions between the two parties. WNBPA was ready with its demands from the start of the 2025 season, while the league sought sustainability and expansion.
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Players began showing their discontent with special t-shirts during All-Star warm-ups, while Napheesa Collier openly targeted the Commissioner, sharing details from their closed-door meetings. Many analysts saw this as a failure on Engelbert’s part; the communication gap became a key factor in widening those differences.
As of now, there is no definite answer on whether the league will come up with a proposal that matches players’ demands or completely surrender to the WNBPA’s pressure to get the season underway.
Caitlin Clark Suggests Solution to WNBA-WNBPA Stalemate
The WNPBA and WNBA repeatedly say they want the 2026 season to start, but they are already behind schedule due to the delay in the CBA talks. Fever guard, who also played a vital role in the league’s recent success, gave her opinion on the CBA, putting the fans first on the agenda.
In an interview, she said, “I think the most important thing for myself in thinking about these CBA negotiations is like, this is the biggest moment the WNBA has ever seen. And it’s not something that can be messed up. And you know, we’re gonna fight for everything we deserve. But at the same time, we need to play basketball. That’s what our fans crave, and that’s what all of you crave as well. You want the product on the floor.”
Caitlin Clark shares her thoughts on state of CBA negotiations, avoiding a lockout, etc. at Duke.
— Shelby Swanson (@shelbymswanson) December 12, 2025
She’s here for USA Basketball Training Camp under HC Kara Lawson, one of 10 players making their first senior national team camp appearance. pic.twitter.com/JWSYC5Bw1Z
As per CC, a compromise from both parties would resolve the issue and highlighted that ‘it’s part of business’. While the rookie has her say on the deal, it’s interesting to see who will take the initiative for the same in the discussions.