As the WNBA season winds down, it's becoming increasingly apparent that the divide between the league's leadership and a lot of the league's players is much deeper than has been widely understood. This was highlighted by Napheesa Collier's explosive exit interview delivered to reporters on September 30, and has only been inflamed by Commissioner Cathy Engelbert's response. At this point, a lockout ahead of the 2026 season feels all but inevitable.
There's still plenty of time for things to change. The current CBA expires at the end of October, which means we're technically still in the window of time during which the WNBPA (the player's union) and the WNBA can come up with a solution that works for everyone. Unfortunately, tension between Collier and Engelbert could end up spiking the conversation completely.
In fact, Collier reportedly cancelled a planned meeting with Engelbert this week after the Commissioner issued a series of denials following the Lynx's star's assertions. Though Collier is only one member of the WNBPA's leadership, she is highly valued and impactful — and there's little doubt other players aren't comfortable following her lead.
A lockout in 2026 would impact everything
If the players are unable to come to a resolution (either by the end of October or by the end of an extension period), conversations about a lockout will more seriously begin. The CBA dictates everything from when and how expansion teams are added to the league to the procedure for the WNBA Draft to player salaries, benefits, and more.
The Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, who are expected to hold their Expansion Drafts at the end of 2025 (the Expansion Draft for the Golden State Valkyries took place in early December 2024; presumably, the Tempo and Fire would follow a similar timeline). The terms of that draft are agreed upon and dictated by the CBA, which means both teams might be at the mercy of negotiations if they hope to get things off the ground this year.
That's a tough reality for the communities that surrounded both teams, and their burgeoning fan bases. It's also one that might lead other potential team owners to hold off on bringing a new team into the fold.
The players of the WNBA could also refuse to negotiate further until Engelbert steps down and/or is replaced (she was appointed by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver). As noted by a source who spoke to ESPN, the players are the heart and soul of the WNBA — and theoretically, that should mean what they want and how they feel matters the most.