In case you missed it, the WNBA is on the verge of a seismic shift, and no, it’s not just because the New York Liberty finally claimed a championship. The real buzzer-beater news? The WNBA Players Association has thrown down the gauntlet, opting out of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). With the CBA now set to expire at the end of the 2025 season, we’re looking at some serious high-stakes negotiations.
But here’s where it gets really interesting: Caitlin Clark, aka the human highlight reel from the Indiana Fever, could become the game-changer this league needs. According to former NBA Players Association lawyer Hal Biagas, Clark has the potential to influence these CBA negotiations in the same way Michael Jordan once did for the NBA.
Yes, that Michael Jordan. You know, the guy who single-handedly intimidated owners and unified players just by strolling into a meeting. So, are we saying Caitlin Clark is about to be the WNBA’s MJ? Well, Hal Biagas is, and he knows a thing or two about these things, having been a key figure in drafting the NBA’s 1999 and 2005 CBAs.
“Michael wasn’t always heavily involved, but when he did decide to get involved it made a difference,” Biagas said, in what might be the understatement of the century. He added, “It galvanized players and to some degree intimidated owners.” Now, let’s just take a moment to imagine Caitlin Clark staring down WNBA owners in a boardroom. If she can make those no-look passes in the paint, she can definitely handle a few executive types in suits.
But the real question is whether Clark will decide to flex that influence. She certainly has the clout, as Biagas pointed out, but it’s up to her to decide just how much she wants to stir the pot. If she does get involved, expect some fireworks. A player like Clark not only has the attention of every fan in the country but can also rally players behind her—just like Jordan did in his heyday.
And don’t think for a second that the owners aren’t paying attention. The last thing they want is a work stoppage, and if Clark and her superstar peers decide to take a stand, you can bet they’ll be feeling the pressure. Can you even imagine a WNBA season where Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and all the other marquee players refuse to take the court? Yeah, neither can we.
So, as the WNBA gears up for its next round of CBA negotiations, all eyes are on Caitlin Clark. Will she seize her Jordan moment and be the voice that drives the league into a new era of player empowerment? Or will she hang back and let others take the lead? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure—she’s got the entire basketball world waiting to see what she’ll do next.
Get your popcorn ready, because this CBA drama is about to get very interesting.
