With less than 100 days until the WNBA’s 30th season tips off, the league is in chaos. But Sophie Cunningham is teasing the wait.

The CBA negotiations and expansion draft planning, along with free agency talks, have all left one question unanswered. Will there even be a 2026 WNBA season?

Monday’s negotiation talk in New York could offer answers. Amidst all this uncertainty, Saturday brought an unexpected Q&A session with Cunningham. "Stuck on the runway in Chicago and it's snowing like crazy, sooooo ask me anything," she wrote. Basically, turning to Instagram Stories to invite fans to ask questions.

Thats When she got asked where she’d be playing next season. Cunningham didn’t mince words. She replied, "waiting to see if we will even have a season." Which is a blunt reminder of the uncertainty facing a league that should be celebrating its growth.

Now as an unrestricted free agent, Cunningham should be fielding offers and weighing her options. Clark has publicly expressed her desire to "run it back" with the veteran guard, and Fever fans are desperate for a reunion.

But Cunningham has emphasized that her priority is exploring her market value and maximizing her next contract. She’s made one thing clear.

She won’t sign until the CBA talks are settled. That leaves her stuck in a holding pattern. She’s not alone either. Dozens of other free agents are waiting, too.

According to multiple reports, the union sent a proposal over four weeks ago requesting a 30% player share of revenue and a salary cap exceeding $10 million. But the league has yet to respond. 

Union leader Nneka Ogwumike described recent talks as not "constructive," and sources leaguewide are bracing for a potential work stoppage or season delay.

During that same runway Q&A, another fan asked, "when will You come to Europe?" And Sophie is here with her answer

Sophie Cunningham’s Eyes on Europe

Cunningham's response was telling: "next off season". She's already committed to Project B which is an international league launching in November 2026.

And that will feature seven two-week tournaments across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. The league boasts a roster of WNBA All-Stars, including Nneka Ogwumike, Kelsey Mitchell, Jonquel Jones, Alyssa Thomas, and Jewell Loyd. 

Cunningham even tried recruiting Clark, who politely declined: "I tried to get her to play in [Project B]. She was like 'No,'" Cunningham revealed.

The timing couldn't be more important. This time last year, free agents were already negotiating deals ahead of the February 1 signing window. Now, with CBA talks stalled and no resolution in sight, Cunningham and her peers are stuck in the uncertainty.

What are your thoughts on the CBA negotiations? Tell us in the comments.

Written by

Ishika Ghosh

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu