For nearly three decades, the WNBA has never seen its players walk away from the court. That unbroken history now feels fragile. As the league rides a wave of unprecedented momentum, marked by increasing valuations, eye-popping expansion fees, and growing relevance, players are drawing a firm line of their own.

In a near-unanimous vote, they have authorized their union’s leadership to call a strike whenever it deems necessary, a rare but strong display of collective resolve. The decision doesn’t halt play today, but it sharpens the stakes in already-stalled collective bargaining talks, signaling that as the league grows richer and more visible, its players are done waiting on the margins for their share.

Why Are WNBA Players Threatening a Strike Now? 

WNBA players find themselves at an impasse with league ownership, revisiting the same fundamental money questions that have shadowed women’s pro basketball for decades, even as the league enters its most profitable era.

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The league has tried to sweeten its case with big numbers. Its most recent proposal introduces a revenue-sharing model without a hard salary cap, one that would push maximum salaries past $1.3 million as soon as 2026, a dramatic jump from the current high of $252,450, and then climb toward the $2 million mark as the deal runs its course. Average pay would rise sharply too, crossing $530,000 in 2026 and eventually stretching beyond $770,000, per league sources.

From the players’ perspective, however, the math still doesn’t add up.

The league’s proposal reportedly allocates just 15% of overall revenue to players, a figure the WNBPA sees as wildly out of step with the roughly 30% share it’s pushing for. That gap, along with deeper disagreements about charter travel, better facilities, maternity/family benefits, and retirement plans, helped fuel this week’s decisive vote.

Per the WNBPA, the turnout was overwhelming. 93% of players cast ballots, and 98% voted in favor of granting the union the authority to call a strike. With that authorization now in hand, union leadership can call for a strike without going back to players once the current CBA extension expires on January 9, or sooner if the union chooses to walk away from it.

“Time and again, the players’ thoughtful and reasonable approach has been met by the WNBA and its teams with a resistance to change and a recommitment to the draconian provisions that have unfairly restricted players for nearly three decades. The players’ vote is neither a call for an immediate strike nor an intention to pursue one. Rather, it is an emphatic affirmation of the players’ confidence in their leadership and their unwavering solidarity against ongoing efforts to divide, conquer, and undervalue them,” the WNBPA said in its statement.

“Let it be known. The players remain united, resolute, and prepared to fight for their value and their future.”

Another emerging flashpoint is the housing benefits. Under the current CBA, teams provide housing or a stipend, but the league’s proposal might remove that requirement. The players also want better access to financial data and auditing rights so they can trust the revenue figures used to determine pay formulas. There are also less publicized but still important disagreements over roster sizes, season length, game scheduling, and mechanisms for growth as the league expands.

What Does “Authorizing a Strike” Actually Mean? 

When the WNBA players voted, they were not voting to strike right away. The authorization simply gives the union leadership the power to call a strike in the future, if negotiations remain unresolved. It doesn’t trigger a work stoppage today, but strengthens the union’s bargaining power.

The decision will now be made by the WNBPA executive committee, which consists of Nneka Ogwumike, Kelsey Plum, Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart, Alysha Clark, Elizabeth Williams, and Brianna Turner.

Also, under the current CBA, no-strike and no-lockout clauses are still in place, which means there’s no immediate path to a work stoppage. Any strike could only come into play once those extensions expire or are no longer valid.

What Would a WNBA Strike Look Like in Reality?

The extended collective bargaining agreement lasts until January 9, 2025, but either side can end it with 48 hours’ notice. If talks were to collapse into a strike, it would mark a historic low. The WNBA has never experienced a work stoppage.

A strike could delay key parts of the season and offseason, including things like the expansion draft, free agency timeline, and even the start of the regular season. And the ripple effects aren’t limited to just delays or fewer games. Fan engagement, TV contracts, sponsorship deals, and other business elements would take a hit, just as we have seen in labor conflicts in other pro sports.

That said, on the very day players approved what would be an unprecedented strike, there’s also the lingering, if still speculative, possibility that the league could act first by opting for a lockout.