The WNBA players are fighting tooth and nail for something that is the norm for elite athletes in any other league. Fair wages, consistent codified minimum work standards, and expanded retirement benefits are among the topics the WNBPA wants in the fresh CBA. After the disastrous meeting at the 2025 All-Star Weekend in Indiana, the WNBA commissioner was surprisingly optimistic. “I have confidence we can get something done by October, but I’m not going to put an exact date on it,” she said.

The players were not as positive even during the biggest weekend of the year. Union president Nneka Ogwumike expected more from the biggest CBA meeting. “We were hoping perhaps more would be yielded given the engagement.” She said. She was more diplomatic as a player in a leadership position. Skylar Diggins said it without any filter: “I was extremely disappointed.” Their pessimistic approach is turning into reality as the latest reports suggest the new CBA will not be agreed upon within the required timeline.

However, the latest reports suggest that the target is not going to be met. According to Annie Costabile of Front Office Sports, “it looks increasingly likely that the Oct. 31 deadline will come and go without a deal.” It’s been more than a month since the players appealed to the masses with black pregame T-shirts that read, “Pay Us What You Owe Us,” and the two sides are still not closer to a deal than they were then.

If the deadline passes without a deal, the players have already threatened a lockout. “If y’all don’t give us what we want, we sitting out,” Angel Reese said on her ‘Unapologetically Angel’ podcast back in March. Reports have already mentioned that the layers are bracing for a work stoppage. WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson said in a statement to FOS, “As we approach the 60-day mark, the league’s lack of urgency leaves players wondering if it is focused on making this work or just running out the clock. Fans do not want that. They are with the players in demanding a new standard for the W.”

Only a couple of months remain for the two parties to agree. The WNBA has experienced a boom unlike any other sports league in the country. In 2024, it was named the fastest-growing brand in the United States, becoming the first sports league to top that report by Morning Consult. A work stoppage could mean they will lose that momentum and possibly revert to their dark days. The fans want the league to keep running smoothly so they can continue supporting their favourite teams. This uncertainty could also cause the WNBA to lose some very talented players while providing distrust to investors.

WNBA Faces Player Drain as CBA Negotiations Drag On, While Threatening Investor Confidence

Apart from its increasing popularity, the league is a pivotal moment when it comes to its long-term plans. The WNBA is actively preparing for expansion with two new franchises, the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, set to begin play in 2026. It is set to add Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia each year till 2030. The owners of each of these teams have paid $250 million in expansion fees, which is five times what the Golden State Valkyries paid.

In addition to that, the existing franchises of the WNBA increased in value by an average of 180% over the last year, according to research by Sportico, which is more than “double the previous biggest year-over-year gain for a major sports league.” According to Sportico, the teams are collectively worth $3.5 billion, and on average, each franchise is worth $269 million, vastly more than the $96 million the average team was worth in 2024.

The investors are betting on the WNBA to continue their current compounding growth, but a potential lockdown could affect their confidence in the league. The uncertainty doesn’t help the sponsorships and other deals either, in addition to the players staying for the WNBA. Under the current CBA, players generally need to obtain permission or approval from the league before signing or participating in other international leagues or competitions.

The league has a prioritisation rule that mandates that players with two or more years of experience join their WNBA team by the start of training camp or face a fine. In 2024, the rule became harsher, stating that three-year veterans must be in-market by the start of training camp or May 1, whichever comes later, or they will be suspended for the entire season. After the CBA expires, they are free to sign contracts in international leagues, and some could jump ship if they see no progress on their negotiating front. Those contracts could remain locked in for the 2026 season, then the player drain could largely affect the WNBA.