The WNBA and its players were supposed to find common ground in New York City, but the league’s silence has only widened the divide. After waiting over a month for a response to their proposal, WNBA players took matters into their own hands in Nashville.

The players’ union sent its latest offer over a month ago in December. While the league didn’t align with this proposal, it also failed to present a counteroffer on Monday, stating that it is still working on finding a sustainable new offer for the players. According to reports from Front Office Sports journalist Annie Costabile, this players-only meeting was held a couple of days after the initial talks in NYC.

As per Costabile’s X post, several members of the players’ union were present in Nashville, along with committee members, Brianna Turner and Alysha Clark. While the specific agenda of this players-only meeting is uncertain, the post states that the WNBPA is playing the waiting game on the league’s new offer.

WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike & WNBPA staff were in Nashville last night, where they held a players-only meeting with AU players, including exec committee members Brianna Turner & Alysha Clark. I’m told the union is still waiting on a response from WNBA to their Dec. proposal.

— Annie Costabile (@AnnieCostabile) February 6, 2026

Nneka Ogwumike expressed her concern regarding this league’s approach amid the CBA deadlock. The players’ union was expecting a counterproposal by Monday at the latest, but the league’s uncertain approach in a situation that demands quick decision-making hasn’t been well-received by them. “I think that’s really what the players are considering now, is that the lack of movement from the league side is truly disappointing,” she said in an interview.

The WNBPA President further highlighted the striking contrast between the league’s and the players’ union’s approaches to this deal: revenue sharing. As per the league’s last proposal, it presented a 70% net revenue-sharing clause to the players.

However, the players’ union sought to give the players the utmost priority and countered with a 30% gross revenue-sharing model, meaning the players will be paid from total income generated before any other expenditures are covered. “We made the point that once we nail this, we can get everything else done,” Ogwumike added.

While the situation is still far from finding a common ground, the players-only meeting can be a strategic way for the WNBPA to put pressure on the league. Moreover, it sends a message to the league that the WNBPA is constantly working behind the scenes, even as it is willing to wait for the WNBA’s offer. The players’ union can impose a league lockout to inflict more pressure on the league. But the WNBPA’s front line isn’t a big fan of this idea.

As Talks Continue, the Real Story is Just Beginning

For the players’ union, the stance has been simple: they want to play in the league, but on fair terms. A better salary and a share from the league’s profits are all that Nneka Ogwumike and the WNBPA are demanding. It’s true that the players’ union has remained strong in its demands, and rightly so. But they have never played the game in an undiplomatic fashion.

Ogwumike and the players’ union still believe in this idea. And, according to journalist Annie Costabile, the players’ meeting’s primary focus is waiting for the league’s new offer. The WNBPA knows that imposing a lockout can further delay proceedings and negotiations. “Having the strike on the table is something that we’re very much aware of, but there are so many more conversations that have to happen,” the WNBPA President said.

“You know, we’re not just going to say, `Hey, today’s the day (we’ll strike).’ You know, I think that’s what we’re demonstrating right now is negotiating in good faith.” All in all, a league lockout can also disrupt the WNBA season schedule, which players are eagerly awaiting. “I know our players 100% want to play this year. We want a season,” Ogwumike said in a conversation.

While the WNBPA’s stance is to wait for the league’s decision and proposal. However, it will be up to the league to return to the players’ union with a sustainable offer as quickly as possible. The pressure is mounting with so much on the line in these negotiations. Free agency players are waiting for their teams after the league moratorium. The upcoming new teams are waiting for team drafts.

In such a scenario, the league’s conservative, laid-back approach isn’t helping the cause. Thus, it will be the players’ union’s responsibility to keep building pressure on the league. And the players-only meeting might be the start of it.