The WNBPA (WNBA Players Association) has sent a pointed message to the league just after the 9th January CBA deadline expired.

The official WNBPA Instagram account reposted a video on their Instagram story featuring American Labor Movement activist Tevita Uhatafe.

The message stands as a clear hint that a forthcoming players' strike is not too far away. In the video, Uhatafe advocates and stands in support of the players wearing a 'Pay Them What You Owe Them' t-shirt.

Speaking through a megaphone on a street in Arlington, Texas, he said, “We are standing in solidarity with the players who are making all the wealth.”

The message comes after the WNBA saw a 23% hike in viewership, but players still take home only 9% of the income, while NBA players pocket 51%.

The next clip was of an article by Labor on the line with the headline "WNBA PLAYERS ARE READY TO STRIKE AFTER CONTRACT EXPIRES".

But that was not all. WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike amplified the message posting a reel on Instagram 2 days later. She captioned the video "Things I’m planning on leaving in 2025”, followed by a screenshot highlighting the revenue sharing and salary-capped amount a woman can earn in the WNBA as compared to the NBA.

As per the current WNBA CBA agreement WNBA players only get 35 percent of what a male player gets as his standard first-year annual raise. Uhatafe also emphasized that the union is prepared to organize picket lines and stand alongside the athletes.

The WNBA CBA status quo

Meanwhile, the WNBA is continuing as per protocol. As the CBA has expired, the WNBA has told its general managers and executives to send out qualifying offers to free agents starting Sunday.

Last month, the players voted 98 percent to authorize a strike, meaning they could walk out at any time as the 2026 season approaches. As Uhatafe noted, “Without the players, there is no league & no profit”. New York Liberty's Breanna Stewart also mentioned "we have that [a strike] in our back pocket" on January 8th after Unrivaled practice.

While the WNBPA has backup secured with 'Player Hubs' and training facilities, the question is: Will there be an agreement on a new CBA before the upcoming season?

Written by

Fatema Kapasi

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu