The month of January is nearly finished — that's three months that have passed since the initial deadline for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the WNBA and the players lapsed. Since then both parties have agreed to two extensions, the most recent of which passed on January 9 without a deal in sight.
Reporting from multiple outlets indicates the players sent out the latest proposal, and officials from the WNBA have determined it was not substantially different from what they've proposed. So it seems things are at a bit of a standstill, even as the league appears to be operating business as usual.
Technically, the league and the players are in a period of status quo, which means the terms of the 2020 CBA are in effect. But they've also agreed to a moratorium on league business, which means free agency can't take place, and the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire can't hold their expansion drafts. At some point, a compromise will have to be struck — or everyone involved, from fans to players to coaches to the top of the league, will end up disappointed.
Nneka Ogwumike says CBA conversations are not "constructive"
While speaking to Front Office Sports, WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike admitted the current state of CBA conversations is not "constructive." As she put it, "It’s not a constructive way to continue on these negotiations, especially considering the timeline that we’re in."
She added: "To give the excuse that our proposal was not adequate is concerning."
That timeline is a real concern. Putting a pause on free agency means that around 100 players are staring down an uncertain 2026 season. While there are some, such as the Liberty's Breanna Stewart, who presumably will remain committed to their current teams no matter what, plenty of athletes can and should be able to effectively shop around to see what kind of deals they can get with other teams.
After all, one of the most dominant WNBA narratives in the last year has been that the league is more popular than ever, that more people are watching and showing up to games, and that women's basketball has never been this hot. That's all true, and it's the result of decades of activism and work, steady pushes toward a more equitable present and future, that the league's players have pushed for over time.
Ogwumike's statement is pointed, and its clear she's hoping for a resolution. No one wants to feel dismissed, and that's especially true when the stakes of a situation are as high as they are for the new CBA. If the WNBA wants to hang on to the fans, success, and enthusiasm the league is receiving — which the league absolutely deserves — something has to give.