The ongoing WNBA CBA negotiations have left fans frustrated, as the league and players remain at odds over salaries and revenue sharing, sparking claims the players are being “too greedy” amid rising tension.
The WNBPA submitted a revised proposal recently, but the league quickly dismissed it as “unrealistic,” and late Friday, commissioner Cathy Engelbert returned the league’s counteroffer, triggering outrage among fans and observers.
The league’s offer makes minimal changes to revenue sharing and the salary cap, the union’s key priorities. Fans criticized the WNBPA leadership, claiming the players overreach despite growing talent and increasing league visibility.
The union proposed a salary cap under $9.5M with 25% revenue sharing, while the league offered $5.65M and 15% revenue share. This wide gap shows the difficulty in finding common ground acceptable to both parties, leaving negotiations in deadlock.
On housing, some compromise has been reached. The union called for continued housing support for early-career players, phasing out for top earners, and the league agreed to guarantee housing for 2026, tapering benefits through 2028.
One fan said via X.com, formerly Twitter, “The WNBA players deserve 100% of league profits. That comes to a total of $0.00.”
And a second commented, “I get where the league is coming from, given its attendance and viewership are driven primarily by a single player/team.”
However, a third offered a different perspective, “The wnba owners view it as big risk that the wnba only has 1 good revenue generating player and 1 player who draws big ratings. They’re not going to lock themselves into a long term deal until others can prove market value, multiple teams get 50-75% of their gate from 2 CC [Caitlin Clark] games.”
Cameron Brink urges fans to support players
Cameron Brink, forward for the Los Angeles Sparks, recently emphasized that the most important thing fans can do is validate the players’ efforts.
“There’s so much, and it’s such a layered issue, but I would really just say to the fans and to the people that support us, please continue that support and let us know that we’re valid in what we’re asking for,” Brink said in an interview with ESPN.
“As women, we’re made to feel bad about wanting more and advocating for more for ourselves, but I think it’s just so important to know your worth, and we know we’re worth more.”
For the players, these negotiations are about far more than salaries or schedules. They are pushing for improved facilities, better retirement and family planning benefits, and a fair share of the revenue they generate.
WNBA athletes were expected simply to be grateful for having a professional league for years, but now, with growing support and visibility, they have the leverage to demand meaningful change and respect.
With the 2026 season approaching, the outcome of these talks will shape the future of women’s professional basketball. Brink and other players stress that fan support is critical-not just for the immediate negotiations, but for the broader fight for recognition, fairness, and growth in women’s sports.
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