After months of rehab, Caitlin Clark is finally back on the court, fully healthy. She recently joined the USA senior women’s basketball team for a training camp in Durham, North Carolina. But is she here just to play? 

Clark, alongside Angel Reese, Cameron Brink, and other players, used the moment to speak about an issue far bigger than any single game,  the ongoing CBA negotiations.

“Everybody’s very intentional about what we want. We’re riding together on everything,” Reese said in an interview with USA Today. “It’s really important for us to come to an agreement that’s fair and benefits everybody.”

Clark also acknowledged that players will “fight for everything we deserve,” while also stressing the need for compromise so the league can continue without disruption.

“That’s what our fans crave—the product on the floor,” she added. “That’s what fans show up for. At the end of the day, it’s business. It’s a negotiation. And there has to be compromise on both sides. We’re starting to get down to the wire.”

Their voices really matter. Together, these players are a united front, and that unity matters. Especially since the 2024 draft class is associated with the W’s unprecedented growth. So their voices now carry weight beyond the box score.

And their ask is quite simple. They stand with players’ union, which is pushing for higher salaries, fairer revenue sharing, improved facilities, expanded staff support, and stronger long-term benefits. These demands haven’t changed since day one. The league hasn’t agreed yet, but the pressure is working as its stance is already starting to shift.

Where does the league stand?

The WNBA has agreed that player pay must increase. At the same time, it wants to ensure team owners can continue investing in the league to support sustainable growth. Their recent proposal includes setting the maximum salary at $1 million starting in 2026. 

This helps top players to earn more than $1.2 million annually with revenue sharing. The league has also proposed raising the salary cap to $5 million in 2026, with further increases tied to league revenue in future years.

Still, the two sides have not yet reached a final agreement. Despite that, there is optimism that a deal could be transformative. Both parties have now agreed to extend the current CBA through January 9. This marks another extension after missing the original deadline.

Written by

Yashika Dutta

Edited by

Joyita Das