Last Friday, more than 21,000 fans filled Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia for the Unrivaled doubleheader, setting new attendance records for both a regular-season women’s professional basketball game and the venue itself. The enthusiastic crowd included celebrities such as comedians Wanda Sykes and Leslie Jones, 76ers stars Andre Drummond and Kyle Lowry, and former NFL player Jason Kelce with his wife Kylie. Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the ongoing WNBA CBA labor talks remained a significant undercurrent, signaling a crucial moment for the players involved. Ken Makin of ANDSCAPE observed that the players
“came to the table with momentum”
entering the negotiations.
The WNBA and the WNBPA convened on Monday for their first bargaining session since October, but progress remained elusive. Liberty guard Natasha Cloud expressed confidence in the players’ position, stating,
“We’re not worried as the players, if I’m going to be frank and honest and transparent. … All the power is in our hands”
(Cloud, Liberty G).
Prolonged Silence and League’s Lack of Response
Negotiations in New York revealed continued frustration over the six-week delay in the league’s response to the WNBPA’s latest collective bargaining proposal, which was submitted on Christmas morning. Madeline Kenney reported that it had been
“how long the WNBA had to come up with a response, or to communicate with”
the union, but the organization arrived at Monday’s meeting without any counteroffer. This absence was described by insiders as a
“slap in the face to players and fans.”
Under the leadership of Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, the league’s decision to attend without addressing the union’s proposal “set the tone early” for the discussion. Instead of advancing negotiations, much of the session focused on each side explaining the reasons behind their positions. Both parties departed with a clear understanding that the next step rests with the WNBA to provide a formal written response.
One source revealed that the league felt the union’s proposal was “essentially unchanged” from its previous submission, thus not warranting a new reply. However, this viewpoint
“was never expressed directly to the union at any point leading up to Monday’s meeting”
(N.Y. POST).
Ongoing Delays Extend Uncertainty in Labor Talks
The stalled negotiations reflect growing impatience among players and supporters after months of waiting and limited forward movement. While Philadelphia’s packed arena demonstrated the sport’s increasing popularity and the players’ strong fan base, the labor dispute casts a shadow over the league’s future stability. With the union asserting confidence and the league yet to present a concrete response, the waiting period is poised to continue, leaving the next steps uncertain and raising questions about the timeline for resolution.
