“I’m not convinced we’re going to get there by October 31st, which means there could be a lockout on the horizon,” said WNBA reporter Megan L. Hall in her recent coverage of the CBA negotiations.

With the arrival of a new media rights deal and a reported increase in revenue thanks to stars like Caitlin Clark, WNBA players are expected to take full advantage of the CBA deal. Not to forget that after Napheesa Collier dropped some serious allegations, there has been an increase in the frustration and distrust with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. However, despite the existing tensions, a reporter believes that both parties would be motivated to put things on the ground before the deadline.

‘We Need To Talk’ hosts Alicia Jay and Terrika Foster-Brasby recently touched base on the WNBA’s CBA negotiations. During the discussion, Jay asked how one can build up a deal when there is no respect. Foster-Brasby replied, “I do believe that the CBA will get done before the season starts. I think 2026 is going to start on time. I’m not one who thinks that, you know, this is going to ruin the next year. These women are not idiots, right? And these business people are just that. They’re business people. They completely know and understand that…. this money. They’re not trying to lose their money and the players have the leverage.”

A WNBA lockout would occur if the league and the players’ association fail to reach an agreement. If the stoppage is player-initiated, it’s a strike, and if it’s league-initiated, it’s a lockout. In a lockout, league business would freeze, while a strike would leave the calendar intact but without player participation. A delay only worsens things, since owners could reportedly vote to lock the players out, prohibiting them from taking part in team activities or signing contracts. Unfair labor practice lawsuits could also be filed.

While both sides can mutually agree to extend the term of the current agreement to continue negotiations, the league is working under tight guidelines. After all, it recently introduced two expansion teams, which are set to begin their season run in 2026.

Concerns that the negotiation timeline would be affected existed even before Napheesa Collier made the allegations against Cathy Engelbert. After all, the league is not aligned with the players’ thought process that they should be paid more.

Then, the Minnesota Lynx star highlighted that Engelbert failed to address this issue. Furthermore, the Lynx star also alleged that Engelbert told her in a private conversation that Caitlin Clark and other young standouts “should be on their knees” in gratitude for the platform the league has given them. In light of this, the divide between the commissioner and the players is at a high point.

Seattle Storm star Nneka Ogwumike, who also serves as the president of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association, admitted that “Hopefully [the agreement] gets done in the time that makes sense. I don’t think anyone wants to see a lockout.”

However, with Napheesa Collier recently canceling a meeting after Cathy Engelbert denied the allegations the former placed against her, a certain cloud of uncertainty continues to linger on. Even if the players and league officials reach a middle ground at some point, it won’t be right now. After all, the players themselves don’t seem to agree right now on the nature of the issue.

Satou Sabally and Breanna Stewart Provide Contradictory Viewpoints on ‘Personal’ Nature of CBA Negotiations

The growing tensions between the players and Cathy Engelbert even compelled the NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, to weigh in. Since NBA owners directly control more than 60% of the WNBA, a lockout would affect the men’s basketball league as well.

In light of this, Silver defended Cathy Engelbert by stating, “The WNBA is experiencing some growth pains. At the same time, Cathy Engelbert has presided over six years of some of the strongest growth we’ve not only seen in the WNBA but any sports league in history. But it’s become too personal and we’re going to have to work through those issues.” The ‘personal’ factor that Adam Silver discussed has, in itself, created some minor division.

During a practice session held before Game 3 of the WNBA Finals, Phoenix Mercury’s Satou Sabally was asked about her thoughts on Adam Silver’s comments. The player replied, “It is very personal because the WNBA wants to forbid us to make a lot of more money than we’re ever going to make here, what it seems like in other leagues. So, it’s very personal. People have families.”

A few days later, New York Liberty fame Breanna Stewart was interviewed while attending a ‘Tech Futures’ seminar recently. When asked about her thoughts on the issue, Stewart threw her support behind Napheesa Collier. At the same time, she added, “I think that our messaging right now is…. It’s not personal. It is business. Show us. Show us your money, and we will show you yours”.

With almost 3 weeks to go until the deadline, the needle needs to be pointing in favor of at least one possibility. Whether the coming days provide more clarity is something that remains to be seen.