Deadline Nears for WNBA Labor Deal, Raising Lockout Concerns

WNBA Faces Potential Lockout as Union Negotiations Stall Ahead of Deadline

NEW YORK, Aug 26, 2025 (BSS/AFP) — Despite record growth fueled by stars like Caitlin Clark, surging fan interest, and a massive new media rights deal, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) is facing uncertainty as collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations with the players’ union stall just 60 days before the October 31 deadline.

Terri Carmichael Jackson, executive director of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA), told Front Office Sports that the union is frustrated by what it sees as a lack of urgency from league officials. Without significant progress, the league and players may have to agree on an extension — or risk a labor shutdown and lockout.

“The players are working diligently to achieve a transformational CBA that builds on the growth, momentum, and positive news surrounding women’s sports and the W,” Jackson said. “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.”

Players Make Their Demands Public

At last month’s WNBA All-Star Game, players sent a strong message during warm-ups, wearing black shirts with the slogan: “Pay Us What You Owe Us.” The push reflects growing frustration over stalled negotiations as well as calls for fairer revenue sharing, better travel accommodations, expanded rosters, and improved workplace standards.

Caitlin Clark and a Rising WNBA

Caitlin Clark, who became the all-time leading scorer in U.S. college basketball history in 2024, has been central to the league’s surge in popularity. Now in her second season with the Indiana Fever, Clark has helped drive record-breaking TV ratings, sellout crowds, and unprecedented attention for women’s basketball.

This momentum has translated into financial gains for the league. Starting in 2026, the WNBA will receive $200 million annually as part of the NBA’s landmark $2.2 billion, 11-year media rights deal with Disney, Amazon, and NBCUniversal.

Expansion on the Horizon

The league is also preparing for its biggest expansion in decades. New franchises in Portland and Toronto will debut in 2026, while Detroit, Cleveland, and Philadelphia are slated to join by 2030 — each with expansion fees around $250 million. These moves underline the league’s growing commercial value, but they also complicate labor talks, which must address expansion drafts, free agency rules, and player movement.

Deadline Pressure and Risks of Work Stoppage

The current WNBA season runs through September 11, with playoffs expected to conclude by October 19. That means the deadline for a new CBA falls just after the postseason. While both sides could extend talks — as they did in 2019 before reaching a deal in early 2020 — a lockout remains a very real possibility if no agreement is reached.

Players have warned that rival leagues may become alternative destinations for top talent if the WNBA fails to secure a new deal. Meanwhile, union leaders, including Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, described the first in-person talks held during All-Star weekend in Indianapolis as unproductive, citing major disagreements over revenue sharing.

What’s at Stake

The next WNBA collective bargaining agreement is seen as pivotal in shaping the future of the league. With rising stars, lucrative media deals, and global attention, players want a contract that matches the sport’s momentum. But with time running out, the standoff risks overshadowing what should be a golden era for women’s basketball.