Controversial commentator Jason Whitlock sharply criticized New York Liberty guard Natasha Cloud on Tuesday, branding her as the “Black Megan Rapinoe” while tensions over the WNBA‘s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations escalate. Whitlock made these remarks during his show Fearless, responding to Cloud’s public doubts about the latest CBA proposal.
Cloud expressed particular concern about the housing benefits included in the new deal, emphasizing that the salary increase may not sufficiently cover living expenses for many players.
“That middleman potentially still not making enough for housing to also be taken off the table,” Cloud said. “Though that $200,000 jump that players are going to make, that’s before taxes, that’s before what they would have to pay for a potential housing market in the state of New York.”
“I think it’s a starting point. I’m happy with them finally coming back to us with a proposal, but I think there’s a lot more that we can do to protect our middleman, even with our jump in salary.”
Despite showing appreciation for the league’s improved offer, Cloud’s skepticism about the housing element seems to have provoked Whitlock, who warned that such a firm stance could potentially lead to a strike ahead of the 2026 season.
“That is the Black Megan Rapinoe there, still drawing a hard line in the sand about this,” Whitlock said. “And so we could end up with a strike because the Black girls won’t finally fold the shop.”
“The white girls are like, ‘Hey, let’s get this money. We’ve cut a hell of a deal. We play 40 games. No one really cares about us other than Caitlin Clark.’
Natasha Cloud Urges Cooperation to Avoid Lockout but Seeks Fairness in CBA
Recognized as one of the most outspoken voices among players in the current CBA negotiations, Cloud continues to push for improvements to the proposed agreement. At the same time, she has expressed a desire to prevent a lockout that could delay the upcoming WNBA season.
“We want to play,” Cloud said in late February. “We want to know where our families are going to end up.”
“Any great business, you’re never going to make everyone happy, but you have to be able to meet somewhere in the middle.”
The WNBA Players Association (WNBAPA) reportedly set a deadline of March 10 for finalizing the CBA talks, emphasizing the urgency to avoid postponing the season’s planned May 8 start. The pressure mounts as both sides navigate complex negotiations with the future of the 2026 campaign hanging in the balance.
Implications of Continued Negotiation Tensions for the WNBA
The discourse between Cloud and critics like Whitlock highlights a deeper divide within the league about priorities related to compensation and player welfare. Cloud’s insistence on better protections for the “middleman”—players who may not receive the highest salaries but still face significant financial challenges—underscores the difficulties in balancing fairness with financial realities.
If the impasse continues, the league could face a strike or lockout, disrupting the WNBA’s growth momentum and jeopardizing the stability of teams such as the New York Liberty. The outcome of this negotiation will likely influence player relations, fan engagement, and the financial health of the entire league moving forward.
