The WNBA has enjoyed some of the best growth in its history over the past couple of years, but that just makes its upcoming CBA negotiations all the more pivotal.

Two of the league’s top players, Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky and DiJonai Carrington of the Dallas Wings, indicated on Reese’s podcast, “Unapologetically Angel,” that the players are fully ready to sit out games if the WNBA doesn’t meet their terms.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 6: Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky dribbles down the court against the Los Angeles Sparks during the first quarter at Wintrust Arena on September 6, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)

Angel Reese is poised for a major salary bump with the new WNBA CBA. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
 (Geoff Stellfox via Getty Images)
Reese and Carrington noted that rookies in the 2026 season are poised to benefit immensely from the likely bump in base pay before hinting that meetings with the WNBPA have discussed the possibility of a strike:

“I’ve got to get in the meetings because I’m hearing like, ‘If y’all don’t give us what we want, we sitting out.'”

“That’s a possibility. For real.”

Last year, the WNBA’s players opted out of the current CBA, which was set to expire in 2027. They will still play the 2025 season under the current CBA rules, but that only leaves a year before the two sides have to come to an agreement.

This CBA negotiation has been widely anticipated ever since the league’s ratings started skyrocketing after Caitlin Clark entered the league, though they were already moderately increasing before her. The final game of the 2024 WNBA Finals, which did not feature Clark, saw a 142% increase in ratings over the equivalent game last year.

WNBA salaries and benefits have always been low enough to require supplementing with sponsorship deals and appearances in other leagues, even for the WNBA’s biggest stars. Much is changing in the league, and it’s unlikely players are going to let numbers continue to increase without some of the value going to them.

Reese, who once said she didn’t think her WNBA salary even paid one of her bills, is coming off a star-making season with the Sky in her own right. Carrington, the 2024 WNBA Most Improved Player, was traded to the Wings last month after four years with the Connecticut Sun.