With the WNBA season on the brink of delay, attention turns to the ongoing collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations between the league and the players’ association. Leading voices in the WNBA, Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, have spoken out about the stalled talks, urging progress before the league’s critical March 10 deadline. Their involvement spotlights the urgency to finalize an agreement or face postponement of the 2026 season.
According to Front Office Sports, the players submitted their latest CBA proposal on Friday evening after multiple counteroffers failed to find common ground. The looming deadline is forcing both sides to intensify efforts toward a resolution.
Caitlin Clark Advocates for Direct Negotiations
Clark has publicly advocated for in-person meetings to resolve outstanding issues, emphasizing the value of face-to-face dialogue in reaching mutual understanding.
I don’t understand why we don’t just get in a room and iron it out and shake hands,
Clark said, via FOS.
That’s how business is. You look each other in the eye, you shake hands, you respect both sides. For me, that’s what I would love to see.
Angel Reese Echoes the Call While Recognizing Negotiation Challenges
Reese agrees that meeting in person might help bridge differences but notes that negotiations inherently involve back-and-forth exchanges.
I talk to my team all the time; when I negotiate deals or anything, it’s negotiation. You go back and forth until we come to a common ground of what we both can go for,
Reese said during a U.S.A. training camp media session.
So I’m just going to continue to be a voice and do whatever I can as a young voice that knows that I do have a platform in this.
When asked to prioritize between playing basketball and securing appropriate compensation, Reese was unequivocal.
We do all want to play basketball. At the same time, we do want to be compensated for what we deserve,
she stated.
Negotiations Remain Stalled Despite Player Advocacy
Despite these public appeals, neither the WNBA league nor the players’ association has shifted sufficiently from their positions, contributing to the current impasse. The failure to reconcile differences threatens to delay the upcoming season.
Although Clark and Reese will not participate directly in the bargaining sessions, they continue to leverage their influence to suggest solutions and support progress toward a timely agreement.
