“I never expected the WNBA to reach this breaking point,” one insider warned as the league edges frighteningly close to a full-scale lockout, with Caitlin Clark and fellow stars reportedly furious over negotiations that continue to ignore their most critical salary demands—raising alarming questions about what could happen to the league’s future, the athletes’ careers, and the sport’s momentum if talks collapse entirely; ấn vào link để xem chi tiết.
THE WNBA has moved closer to a lockout following the latest salary negotiations.
ESPN reports that key demands have not been agreed upon as WNBA negotiations stall.
Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has been key to the WNBA’s recent growthCredit: Getty
The WNBA has grown despite Clark’s injury strugglesCredit: Getty
A new collective bargaining agreement is yet to be agreed between the league and its players.
The Women’s National Basketball Players Association has rejected the WNBA’s latest proposal according to ESPN.
Time is running out for the league to reach a new deal with the WNBPA.
Only nine days remain until the current collective bargaining agreement expires.
It is understood that the proposal included a revenue sharing component that would allow players to earn more than $1.1 million.
This deal would create a league minimum salary of more than $220,000.
The league’s minimum salary in 2025 was $66,079.
But the players’ union is unsatisfied that the agreement sees players reimbursed in line with the league’s growth.
The likes of Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark and the Chicago Sky‘s Angel Reese, both 23, have helped to grow the WNBA into a bigger business.
WNBA franchise the Las Vegas Aces’ worth has skyrocketed after another successful season.
They are now worth a staggering $300 million despite being purchased for just $2 million in 2021.
Additionally, Reese became the first professional athlete to appear on the runway at the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
The league has continued to grow despite superstar Clark’s season being ravaged by an unfortunate string of injuries.
Meanwhile, Clark has spoken out against league commissioner Cathy Engelbert, 66.
She has been one of several players to make their feelings clear on Engelbert’s status.
The WNBA came close to a total shutdown over the collective bargaining agreement before a one-month extension was agreed.
Players are thought to not want a fixed salary system but one based on the league’s revenue, like in the NBA.
The 2026 WNBA Draft lottery is set to be held on Sunday live on ESPN.
