The WNBA and the WNBPA have been negotiating a new CBA for over a year now. But even with the 2026 season set to begin on May 8, they are still nowhere near finding a common ground. Even after the league’s counterproposal last week, the players’ union remains firm in its stance, unwilling to take a cut any less than they deserve. But as each day passes, the possibility of disruptions to the upcoming season is getting more and more real, and amid all the tension, Sophie Cunningham has publicly said what many around the league have been thinking.

During a recent episode of Show Me Something, the Indiana Fever guard Cunningham did not hold back when discussing ownership behavior amid the ongoing CBA talks.

“It just blows my mind that these other owners are doing the most bare minimum. And it’s like sell your team and let other people who want to be a part of something great put their money into it. It’s just kind of crazy to me,” she said.

With the upcoming season all set to tip off in two months, the main issue that is keeping the league and union divided is revenue sharing and salary structure.

The Revenue Gap That’s Driving the Standoff

According to reports, the WNBA’s proposal has kept revenue sharing below 15% of total league revenue, while the players’ union is pushing for closer to 30% of gross revenue, along with a significantly higher team salary cap.

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The league’s proposal also includes:

• Developmental roster spots (two per team) will get housing access and benefits.
• One-bedroom apartments for players at the proposed minimum salary and those with zero years of service, but only for the first three years.
• In 2029, the one-bedroom provision would be removed.
• Players earning more than the proposed minimum would not qualify for team-provided housing.

However, the pay dispute remains the reason why these two sides are far apart. While the union argues that those numbers still don’t reflect the league’s rapid commercial growth, new media rights deals, expansion momentum, and rising franchise valuations, the WNBA has claimed that its demands will result in $700 million in losses over the life of the agreement.

But if a deal is not reached within the next few weeks, key league operations, including the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire expansion draft, free agency involving over 100 players, and the collegiate draft, could face delays.

“If we’re going to have a season, it has to happen within this next month of coming to an agreement, otherwise it’s going to be a lockout or strike, which is insane,” Sophie Cunningham further added.

But while there hasn’t been even a hint of these tensions calming down soon, on the positive side, Cunningham might be staying with the Indiana Fever.

Sophie Cunningham’s Words Hint at a Future with the Fever

While Cunningham didn’t hesitate to challenge ownership groups across the league, she made it equally clear that not every franchise falls into that category.

In the middle of calling out owners who are doing the “bare minimum,” the 6-foot-1 star drew a sharp distinction when Indiana came up.

“Indiana takes care of you. They truly take care of you from top to bottom,” she said.

While there has been speculation around what the future looks like for Cunningham and with which team, as she is set to hit free agency, her words didn’t sound like someone looking for the exit.

However, with the free agency paused until the CBA dispute reaches a resolution, her future technically remains open. But if her latest comments are any indication, Indiana may already have the inside track.