The clock around the WNBA season is starting to matter as much as the negotiations themselves. Players and league officials remain apart on revenue share and salary structure, yet the bigger pressure point now sits on timing. Every delay affects free agency, roster building, and preparation for the 2026 season.

Amid that backdrop, a group of agents including Caitlin Clark’s representative Erin Kane sent a collective letter requesting more transparency from the players’ union ahead of the March 10 CBA deadline. The move immediately widened the conversation beyond owners and players.

Basketball analyst Rachel DeMita responded by questioning whether stronger agent influence could have accelerated negotiations.

“I wish Caitlin Clark had more of a dog agent than she does because I feel the CBA negotiations would be moving along if she had a bigger agent. Maybe somebody like Rich Paul.”

That comment reframed the discussion. The debate is no longer just about money splits. It is about leverage inside the room. The letter signals a new phase of involvement. Agents are not formally part of bargaining, yet they represent the players most affected by the outcome.

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Kane works at Excel Sports Management, the agency Clark joined in 2023. The company was valued at nearly $1 billion in late 2025 after Goldman Sachs Asset Management purchased a major stake. It also represents NBA players Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic.

Because of that scale, the conversation is not about credibility. Instead it is about negotiating style.

Some agents prefer relationship-driven discussions. Others apply public pressure and deadlines. DeMita’s reference to Rich Paul highlights the difference between those approaches rather than criticizing Clark’s representation directly.

Meanwhile, the players’ union described its latest virtual meeting as “spirited, passionate and at times, tough,” suggesting internal disagreements over negotiation strategy.

That matters. A divided labor group weakens leverage even before facing the league.

Rachel DeMita points out the concerning reality for the players with a potential timeline

Even a successful agreement creates complications. Ratifying a legally binding deal may take weeks. After that, the Expansion Draft is projected for early April, followed by the April 13 WNBA Draft and a May 8 season opener.

That schedule compresses free agency into roughly one week.

Around 100 to 110 players are expected to hit the market. Limited negotiation time increases the likelihood of short-term contracts rather than long commitments, regardless of how much salaries rise.

Because of that, the negotiation outcome now affects roster stability as much as pay structure. Players may accept temporary deals simply to meet training camp deadlines.

Any delay beyond March 10 would push the entire calendar further, potentially affecting the start of the 2026 season.

The CBA talks therefore extend beyond economics. Agent influence, player unity, and scheduling pressure now intersect at the same moment. Whether negotiations conclude quickly or stretch longer will determine not just salaries, but how teams are built for the upcoming season.