The WNBA is riding an unprecedented wave of popularity. The 2024 season shattered records across the board—attendance surged, television ratings skyrocketed, and social media engagement hit all-time highs. The influx of superstar talent, led by Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, A’ja Wilson, and Sabrina Ionescu, has transformed the league into a must-watch spectacle.
But beneath the surface of this meteoric rise lies a brewing storm. The league’s top players remain vastly underpaid compared to their male counterparts, and with the WNBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) set to expire in 2025, tensions are mounting. Now, some of the game’s biggest stars are making it clear—if their demands aren’t met, a strike is very much on the table.
Players Demand Change: ‘We Deserve More’
Angel Reese, the Chicago Sky’s rebounding machine and one of the most marketable young stars in the sport, didn’t mince words when discussing the league’s financial disparities. On her podcast, Unapologetically Angel, she spoke candidly with Dallas Wings guard Dijonai Carrington about the looming CBA negotiations—and the very real possibility of a work stoppage.
“Yeah, the CBA is coming up,” Reese stated. “We deserve more. Everybody, everybody. But we have to face the consequences? The women coming in next year are probably gonna be making more than us. I gotta get in the meetings. Because I’m hearing… If y’all don’t give us what we want, we sitting out.”
Carrington echoed her concerns, pointing out that the timing of these negotiations gives the players unprecedented leverage.
“Yeah, that’s a possibility,” Carrington agreed. “For real, it was kind of a possibility on the last one. But now, just with the leverage that we have right now. It’s just a time where women’s basketball is going crazy. It’s gonna be a time next year. But we deserve it.”
A Long-Standing Fight for Fair Pay
The WNBA’s pay disparity has long been a point of contention. While the league has made strides in areas like charter flights and endorsement opportunities, base salaries remain staggeringly low. Reese and Clark, for example, are earning less than $100,000 on their rookie contracts—an eye-opening contrast to the multi-million-dollar deals handed out to NBA rookies.
Many argue that the league’s rising popularity should be reflected in increased player salaries, expanded revenue sharing, and improved working conditions. The upcoming CBA negotiations present an opportunity for players to push for those changes—but if the owners don’t budge, a strike could be inevitable.
Could a Strike Derail the WNBA’s Momentum?
Strikes have historically played a crucial role in shaping professional sports leagues. The NBA, MLB, and NHL have all experienced work stoppages that, while painful in the short term, ultimately led to improved conditions for players. The WNBA may be on the cusp of its own defining labor battle.
The timing, however, couldn’t be more delicate. The league is at its peak in visibility, drawing in new fans at an unprecedented rate. A prolonged strike could jeopardize that momentum, but from the players’ perspective, it may be a necessary step toward securing their financial future.
For now, the ball is in the league’s court. Will the WNBA recognize the value of its stars and compensate them accordingly, or will it risk alienating the very players who have propelled it to new heights?
One thing is clear: The players are united, their voices are louder than ever, and they aren’t afraid to take a stand.
