In a plot twist fit for a high-stakes drama, the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) sent shockwaves through the sports world on Monday by announcing its decision to opt out of its collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the WNBA. The current CBA, initially set to expire in 2027, is now effectively ticking down to Oct. 31, 2025. With just one year to secure a new deal, it’s safe to say the league might be in for some heated negotiations — because these players aren’t just here to play; they’re here to make history.
Seattle Storm star and WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike didn’t hold back, laying out exactly why the players decided to walk away from the old agreement. “Opting out isn’t just about bigger paychecks,” she explained. “We’re ready to lead transformational change — change that goes beyond women’s sports.” In other words, this isn’t just about a better contract; it’s about setting a precedent that shakes up sports and claims a rightful piece of a business built on their hard work. And this time, they’re not asking — they’re demanding it.
The WNBPA’s bold decision comes hot on the heels of a phenomenal 2024 WNBA season, capped off by the New York Liberty clinching their first championship. It was the most-watched Finals in a quarter-century, while record-breaking crowds packed arenas all season long. With the league planning to expand beyond its current 12 teams, the timing couldn’t be more perfect for players to flex their newfound leverage.
Executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson didn’t mince words about the association’s vision for the future: “The players opted out of the last CBA to realign the business and save the league from its own limitations. Today, with a stronger foundation and new investments flowing in, they’re opting out again — this time to fully professionalize the league, secure proper wages, improve working conditions, and lock in meaningful benefits.” Sounds like they’re ready to raise the bar.
As for the WNBA’s brass, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert took a deep breath (we assume) and responded with a statement that was short but hopeful. “With the historic 2024 WNBA season now in the books, we look forward to working together with the players and the WNBPA on a new CBA that is fair for all and lays the foundation for growth and success for years to come,” she said, likely in an effort to keep the peace.
But let’s be real here — this isn’t a battle of nice words. The players have made it clear they’re after transformative gains, and they’re betting big on themselves, making it clear that this time the league has to meet their terms. Could the WNBA be headed for a serious makeover? Or will this negotiation showdown turn into a full-blown lockout? Stay tuned — this one’s bound to be a nail-biter.