This week in Indianapolis, the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) are convening for their first face-to-face talks since December to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Indiana Fever standout Caitlin Clark, despite not being a player representative or serving on the WNBPA’s executive committee, confirmed her involvement in these discussions, underscoring her role amid the league’s rapid growth and the critical timing of the talks.

The Stakes of the WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement

The existing CBA is set to expire at the conclusion of the 2025 season after the WNBPA opted out of it last October. Both parties are eager to finalize a new agreement before the 2026 season begins in order to preserve the momentum created by the league’s recent expansion and rising popularity. However, negotiations remain tense, and reaching a mutually acceptable deal is uncertain.

Clark acknowledged the importance of the upcoming meetings, stating,

“Obviously the meetings that are gonna happen in Indianapolis are gonna be really important, and although I’m not our team rep or on the committee, I’m still trying to understand and engage as much as possible,”

and added,

“It’s my second year in the league, but also this is a very important time for our league and where it’s gonna continue to grow. I’m certainly looking forward to those meetings and being in them and I think everybody in our league is to help these CBA talks continue to move forward. Should be very important for us on Thursday.”

—Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever player

Player Frustrations Highlight Tensions in Negotiations

Several prominent players have voiced dissatisfaction with the league’s latest proposal. Phoenix Mercury All-Star Satou Sabally described the offer as a “slap in the face,” while New York Liberty All-Star Breanna Stewart expressed that players feel disregarded in the process. Stewart conveyed her frustration, explaining,

“Anytime you go back-and-forth, you’re not expecting to hear that ‘yes’ on the first [proposal], but you’re expecting to have a conversation. They kind of just ignored everything we said.”

—Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty All-Star

Beyond salary raises, players are pushing for transformative changes that deepen beyond financial compensation. This urgency is intensified by the fact that nearly all players who are not bound by rookie contracts will become free agents during the upcoming offseason.

Importance of In-Person Discussions for Progress

WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike hopes that the return to in-person negotiations will facilitate better communication. She remarked on the inefficiencies of remote exchanges, saying,

“When you’re doing things via documents, when you’re doing things via proxy, whether it’s … our union staff and league staff, it’s different,”

and added,

“When you’re sitting at the table, things a lot of times, in my experience, you get done a little bit more efficiently.”

—Nneka Ogwumike, WNBPA president

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has publicly expressed optimism about reaching a deal. She stated,

“We’ll get something done and it’ll be transformational. These things take time… We want to have a fair deal for all, but it has to be within the confines of a sustainable economic model that goes on for 10 years,”

and continued,

“We’ve had a few years of great growth … but we need to continue to make sure that we can fund the things that the players are asking for, that we want for them, too.”

—Cathy Engelbert, WNBA commissioner

League Expansion and Media Deals Fuel Financial Debate

The WNBA’s plans for expansion underline the league’s growing economic footprint. By 2030, the league aims to increase to 18 teams, with Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia recently joining after paying record $250 million expansion fees each. A new $2.2 billion media rights contract is set to take effect next season, adding further financial significance to the CBA talks.

Players want a fair proportion of the growing revenue, with Ogwumike commenting on the situation:

“It’s interesting that there’s a $250 million expansion fee, and there’s no openness to have that be reflected in revenue share that goes to the players, especially as we’re experiencing growth,”

and added,

“It doesn’t make a lot of sense to me, but we’re hoping we can get some clarity on that in Indiana.”

—Nneka Ogwumike, WNBPA president

Possibility of a Work Stoppage and Its Implications

The potential for a work stoppage looms if the league and players fail to reach an agreement. Minnesota Lynx All-Star Napheesa Collier referenced this possibility as early as March, and recent reports suggest that players are bracing for such an outcome. A delay or cancellation of the 2026 season, which will introduce the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo as new franchises, would represent a major setback for the league and all stakeholders involved.

Outlook for the League and the CBA Negotiations

This week’s negotiations mark a pivotal moment for the WNBA’s future trajectory. With key figures like Caitlin Clark actively engaged and high-profile players demanding substantive changes, the stakes are exceptionally high. The outcomes from these talks will influence how the league capitalizes on its current upward momentum and addresses players’ demands in the years ahead.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. Was Caitlin Clark with Taylor Swift at the Chiefs game?

A. It’s clear that Clark is capable of participating in the 3-point contest. During her college years, she broke the Division I record with 548 three-pointers and had a 37.7 percent success rate. Last season, she made 34.4 percent of her three-point attempts as a professional.

Q. Was Caitlin Clark sitting with Taylor Swift at the game?

A. In a private suite at Arrowhead Stadium, the two women sat together watching the Chiefs win their first playoff game against the Houston Texans.

Q. Why is Caitlin Clark sitting with Taylor Swift at the game?

A. During the Chiefs home game against the Houston Texans, Swift sat beside Caitlin Clark, a WNBA player. Clark attended the game in the Swift suite shortly after the Indiana Fever player shared that the singer had invited her.

Q. What did Taylor Swift give Caitlin Clark?

A. Taylor Swift gifted Caitlin Clark every T-shirt and sweatshirt from her Eras Tour. In 2024, Caitlin Clark, a WNBA player, attended Swift’s concert in Indianapolis. Taylor made sure Clark got four bags of merchandise from the tour.