Sabrina Ionescu, guard for the New York Liberty, has openly addressed the leadership dynamics within the WNBA ahead of critical collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations. Speaking in May 2025 from Brooklyn, Ionescu emphasized a clear preference for engaging with <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA commissioner Adam Silver over WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, pointing to a leadership divide that impacts player confidence and communication.

Now entering her fifth WNBA season, Ionescu has taken on the role of player representative during talks to update the current CBA, which was initially signed in 2020. Rejecting acceptance of the existing terms, she is actively involved in shaping the future contract and the league’s direction.

Player Perspectives on Leadership Accessibility and Influence

When discussing interactions with the league’s top figures, Ionescu described frequent, open communication with Adam Silver but reported limited contact with Cathy Engelbert. She stressed the importance of direct dialogue with Engelbert and the leadership team to strengthen trust and presence.

“We need to be able to be in the room with Cathy and talk to her and her leadership group about what we want,”

Ionescu stated, underscoring a desire for stronger relations.

The WNBA has experienced significant growth in visibility, with increases in viewership and social media engagement. Despite this, many players feel that the growing attention has not translated into meaningful influence or consistent access to decision-makers. Ionescu clarified this point further, noting that while events often allow players to approach Silver comfortably, they lack the same ease with Engelbert.

“Players feel like they can walk up to Silver at events. We don’t have that same comfort with Cathy,”

she said.

This leadership gap is especially relevant in a league still contending with disparities in pay, exhausting travel schedules, and limited marketing support. Engelbert’s absence from many games and events contrasts with Silver’s regular presence, amplifying that divide.

Rising Player Activism and the Demand for Long-Term Change

As more players take ownership of the WNBA’s future both on and off the court, the push for improvements reflects a shift toward sustained activism by a new generation of stars, including Ionescu and Breanna Stewart. They are not merely advocating for better pay but for significant enhancements in player welfare and league infrastructure.

Ionescu articulated the stakes in this movement clearly:

“Some of the stuff we’re demanding is life-changing if you’re going to play 10, 15 years. It’s important to set new standards. We’re not going to take the bare minimum.”

Her focus extends beyond immediate earnings to encompass charter flights, healthcare, offseason stability, and overall respect for players’ careers and well-being.

Comparing WNBA and NFL Player Negotiations as a Model for Progress

Drawing parallels with the NFL and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), Ionescu pointed to what the WNBA could achieve as its viewership and revenue rise.

“We’re at that point where we can demand what the NFLPA has demanded… we’re seeing the results in viewership and revenue.”

She expressed candid acceptance that a lockout, a familiar occurrence in professional sports labor disputes, could be part of the process if necessary.

“A lockout’s happened in almost every sport. Whatever is necessary is going to happen.”

The seriousness of the negotiations and willingness to stand firm were echoed by other players. Napheesa Collier emphasized the importance of holding firm on demands during the renegotiation efforts, stating,

“No one wants a lockout, but I think we have to stand firm in what we think we deserve in this new CBA.”

Similarly, Satou Sabally expressed disapproval of certain developments in the NBA’s CBA draft, describing the situation as a slap in the face.

Suggestions for Aligning the WNBA Schedule With Traditional Basketball Seasons

During a recent press session, Ionescu proposed a fundamental change to the league’s calendar, questioning the wisdom of the WNBA continuing to play during summer months. She explained how overlapping with other sports, limited rest for rookies, and a mismatch with basketball’s mainstream rhythm hinders engagement and recovery.

“I don’t feel like we should be playing in the summer.”

She challenged the practice of rookies entering competition shortly after collegiate championships, asking,

“What other league throws college players right into playing two, three weeks after a national championship?”

Ionescu advocates for shifting the WNBA schedule to run in parallel with the NBA’s fall-to-spring season, which could offer more consistent focus and allow players proper offseasons.

The Growing Influence of Sabrina Ionescu Within WNBA Leadership

Ionescu credits Breanna Stewart for mentoring her during this transition into leadership, stating, “I’ve learned a lot.” Positioned as a bridge between veterans and rookies, she balances relatability with experience, advancing player interests in a league undergoing rapid expansion and transformation.

This evolving leadership dynamic highlights the increasing demand from players for involvement in decisions shaping the league. Ionescu’s recent viral moment with a young fan serves as a reminder that player impact extends beyond the court, influencing fans and future generations alike.

The WNBA’s impressive growth trajectory depends on listening to voices like Ionescu’s, who are directly carrying the weight of the league’s progress and challenges. As collective bargaining negotiations continue, the outcome could set new standards not only for the WNBA but for women’s sports as a whole.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. Is Sabrina Ionescu a millionaire?

A. Sabrina Ionescu is expected to have a net worth of about $5 million in 2024. Her wealth mainly comes from playing in WNBA games.

Q. Is Sabrina Ionescu black or white?

A. Ionescu’s birthplace is Walnut Creek, California, and she has Romanian-American parents. Her father, Dan Ionescu, fled communist Romania near the 1989 revolution, hoping for political asylum in the U.S.

Q. Why did Sabrina Ionescu have surgery?

A. Last Friday, Sabrina Ionescu, a standout player for the New York Liberty, had surgery to fix a tear in the ligament in her right thumb. This information was shared through a post on her social media.