The CBA deadline is about to expire for the third time now. With the initial deadline being October 31st, 2025, the WNBA requested to push the deadline twice. Unfortunately, even after so many days, there hasn’t been a fruitful step taken towards resolving the stalemate.
In fact, the WNBA and WNBPA still remain far apart in terms of revenue-sharing structures. Now, to further add insult to injury, Shakira Austin had recently lashed out at the WNBA’s policies. And if that was not enough, Austin’s comments were further backed by a strong stand from the WNBPA.
WNBPA Sends Strong Message to WNBA Following Shakira Austin’s Comments
Recently, Washington Mystics star Austin seemed unhappy with how the WNBA handles its players’ healthcare. Guerschon Yabusele recently stated that a player becomes entitled to a lifetime pension after spending nine years in the league. Furthermore, all medical expenses will be covered for life after completing four years of service.
Immediately, Austin expressed her frustration at how casually the league was handling the players’ health situation. Reflecting on the matter, the WNBPA soon joined the conversation. Delivering a strong message, they demanded a proper, long-term solution for the players instead of unplanned fixes.
“Player health isn’t optional!! Our athletes deserve real, long-term medical care, not temporary fixes. We stand with our players and will keep pushing for benefits that reflect their value and sacrifice,” said the WNBA.
WNBPA hits back at WNBA https://t.co/z15szsljtm
— Debmallya Chakraborty (@DebmallyaC93340) January 3, 2026
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It certainly appears that things are going from bad to worse for the WNBA at the moment. And with a possible lockout looming, the WNBPA recently had a lot to say about the ongoing CBA fiasco.
WNBPA Criticizes WNBA’s $700 Million Loss Projections
The WNBPA has rejected both the contract proposals coming from the authorities at this point. And as the second deadline extension nears its end, the league faces a looming lockout threat. In the meantime, the WNBA recently released a projection claiming it would lose $700 million if it met all of the WNBPA’s demands.
Surely enough, the WNBPA did not take the statement in a good light and responded immediately. “The players remain fully engaged and focused on securing a transformative agreement that delivers a meaningful share of the revenue their labor creates,” read the statement.
The WNBPA's statement after Shakira Austin spoke out 👇 #WNBA pic.twitter.com/kEKfP5uore
— Aya Abdeen (@ayabdeen) January 7, 2026
Thus, with things looking gloomy, fans are now eager to see what happens next.