Halloween feels a little spookier in the WNBA this year. The league’s current CBA officially expires today, and with no agreement but extension in sight, tension between Cathy Engelbert and the players continues to rise. Fans are growing restless, joking they’d summon the witches of Hocus Pocus if it would help end the standoff. While magic isn’t the answer, Carmelo Anthony has offered some real-world advice for both players and fans hoping for a resolution.

The new NBC analyst appeared on CNBC to discuss several topics, including the tense WNBA CBA negotiations. “We see the WNBA game growing, right? And when you’re growing, and you’re a part of that growth, you want to participate in the upside of that growth, and that’s all that we’re seeing from these WNBA players,” Melo explained.

“Now, they understand what’s going on. They’re not saying, ‘Hey, give us all the money.’ They just want to participate in the upside, in the growth of where this WNBA is actually going.” Melo’s point makes sense if you read a report by David Berri, professor of economics at Southern Utah University. Berri highlighted that the league’s financial position contradicts its claims of limited profitability.

“There clearly is money,” Berri told Sports Business Journal. “You can’t be telling the women it’s not profitable when we see the expansion fees. Because clearly to get the expansion fees, you had to say it was profitable.” Expansion alone shows the WNBA has real financial momentum.

But Melo’s advice comes with a bit of warning, too. “If we can sit and have those honest and open conversations, then yes, we can figure this out. I think that it’s going to get ugly before it gets better. And I just want the women to understand that it’s going to get ugly and be prepared for when it gets ugly. And if you’re not prepared for that, let’s figure this out. The money is going to come,” he said.

The WNBA has been on a rapid rise since the 2024 draft class, with excitement and expectations soaring higher than ever. But Carmelo Anthony has a word of caution for the players: “Be patient. Continue to fight. Be patient, but understand and have a real plan and strategy on what you’re fighting for.” And while some might wonder why the WNBA should listen to him instead of going scorched earth, Carmelo is speaking from experience.

Carmelo Anthony didn’t take his own advice during CBA talks

Carmelo Anthony has no stake in the WNBA, unlike his best friend, Dwyane Wade, who has an investment in the Chicago Sky. He’s not had ownership experience except once, saying he wants to buy a stake in the Wizards. He’s not been involved in women’s basketball while he starts his NBA analyst career under NBC. So what makes him the authority to say the CBA will work out with some patience?

The Hall-of-Fame of two months has been front and center of Collective Bargaining Agreements more than once. The impending 2011 NBA lockout was a factor in his demanding a trade out of Denver and landing him in New York. He was also the vice president of the NBPA during the 2016 CBA talks. The latter had a fair bit of impatience, and he was usually the one addressing the media.

Every time the discussions went nowhere, Melo expressed skepticism about reaching an agreement before the deadline. His doubts were unfounded, and the NBA and the players agreed on a tentative CBA in December 2016, within a week of his comments. The new CBA went through the 2023-24 season when Melo officially announced his retirement.

Now, for what it’s worth, the ladies are showing patience despite the animosity with Cathy Engelbert’s leadership. Both sides have agreed on a 30-day extension, a day before the original October 31 deadline, making the new deadline November 30. It comes after the players’ union publicly accused the league of not showing urgency to agree to a CBA.

While Melo might be asking the WNBPA to take things easy, he’s very much rooting for them. Words of the experienced might just be what the players need.