The WNBA appears to be headed towards a work stoppage. The league and players are currently supposed to be negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement with the season fast approaching, but the last few weeks have seen nothing but inactivity on both sides.
The WNBA players association submitted their latest proposal weeks ago and it was met with silence. According to ESPN, “The league believes the proposal didn’t warrant a response, since it wasn’t that different from the past ones the union has submitted—and instead, sources told ESPN, it’s waiting for the players to submit what it would consider a more ‘realistic’ proposal.”
Tired of waiting, the the players association has set up a face-to-face meeting for Monday. According to ESPN’s Alexa Philippou, “PA staff, PA leadership and league CBA leadership, including the labor relations committee and owners” will be among those in attendance. Kelsey Plum, Napheesa Collier and Nneka Ogwumike are all expected to be there.
Source will knowledge of the situation confirmed this meeting is happening. Expected to include PA staff, PA leadership and league CBA leadership, including the labor relations committee and owners https://t.co/KKxDjP6so2
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) January 30, 2026
Collier recently said that if the WNBA doesn't have people in place who can run a sustainable business, “they need to put people in place who can.”
The WNBA season is currently scheduled to begin on May 8. Last year it the draft was held in mid-April and training camp began in late April. If they don't have a productive meeting on Monday, it is not a great sign for the season being able to begin as scheduled.
More WNBA on Sports Illustrated
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- Ranking the Top Lineups in Unrivaled for the 2026 Season
- Caitlin Clark Lands New Gig As Part of NBC’s NBA Broadcast Team
- Elle Duncan Lands New Role Covering WNBA After ESPN Departure
This article was originally published on www.si.com as WNBA Players Set Up Face-to-Face Meeting After League Ignores Latest CBA Proposal.
