The WNBA couldn’t find a perfect proposal to satisfy the demands of players, league investors and also fans, who were hoping to see the end of the CBA discussions as early as possible. The WNBPA also stayed united and strong to get the deal.
Amid all the fiasco, Paige Bueckers drops cryptic reaction to CBA deadline expiry, hinting at a possible compromise. But instead of taking a step back, the WNBPA took a more aggressive stance and released a statement hour before the deadline.
WNBA Players’ Strong Response To Deadline Date Expiration
As the third deadline date expired, the WNBPA released a statement, reminding the league to look for solution as early as possible and included many factors which they felt were the WNBA’s fault in the discussion so far.
The statement by the WNBPA reads, “At midnight, the 2020 WNBA-WNBPA Collective Bargaining Agreement will expire. Despite demonstrating our willingness to compromise in order to get a deal done, the WNBA and its teams have failed to meet us at the table with the same spirit and seriousness. Instead, they have remained committed to undervaluing player contributions, dismissing player concerns, and running out the clock.”
The WNBPAs latest statement re: CBA expiration pic.twitter.com/immuk5EZC6
— Annie Costabile (@AnnieCostabile) January 10, 2026
They also added, “This agreement must include a salary system tied to a meaningful share of the revenue that would not exist without player labor, mandate professional working conditions, and require protections that honor the players who built this league and set the next generation up for success. Make no mistake. Pay equity is not optional and progress is long overdue.”
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As the deadline date expires, the players’ association and the WNBA enter a status quo position, allowing them to continue negotiating. Though the players’ association gave a green signal to the strike situation, Briana Stewart makes intentions clear on the lockout following the expiry of the CBA deadline.
WNBA Players Hoping For Productive Proposal
While the players’ association issued a strong warning and also holds the right to sit out the 2026 season, they also want the 2026 season. Nneka Ogwumike and Napheesa Collier also reiterated that the players’ association is looking for the league’s success too, yet they won’t be backing down from their original ‘reasonable’ demands.
While Caitlin Clark’s prophetic warning hits hard as the WNBA faces total meltdown, the WNBPA is pushing hard for their demands, hoping to get the profitable and productive proposal. But one thing is certain from their recent statement, that the WNBPA is looking for a high revenue percentage.