WNBA CBA Negotiations Stall as Brionna Jones and Other Veterans Demand Action

As negotiations between the WNBA Players Association and league officials over the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) remain unresolved, frustrations are beginning to boil over. In a striking show of solidarity, veteran forward Brionna Jones has now joined a growing chorus of voices calling for fairness, transparency, and meaningful reform—signaling just how urgent and widespread the players’ concerns have become.

Jones, known for her consistency on the court and professionalism off it, rarely enters the media spotlight. However, earlier this week, she delivered a powerful statement on social media: “We show up every season, give everything to this league, and still get crumbs. It’s time the league showed up for us, too.”

Her comments come amid a wave of player activism, as the league’s athletes grow increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress in negotiations. The players’ demands include equitable pay, improved maternity and health care provisions, charter travel accommodations, and fair revenue sharing—issues that have long simmered beneath the surface but are now being publicly addressed.

Perhaps even more striking, however, was the emergence of Alysha Clark—a veteran often regarded as quiet and composed—as another outspoken voice in the debate. “We’ve been patient. We’ve sacrificed,” Clark wrote. “But this silence from the league? It’s disrespectful.”

The WNBA, while acknowledging the ongoing talks, has yet to release specifics about its negotiating stance. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, in a press briefing last week, stated, “These conversations are complex. We want an agreement that sustains the league’s growth and honors our incredible athletes.”

Yet many players feel that growth without equity is not progress at all. The league has expanded its viewership, media coverage, and sponsorship deals significantly in recent years, yet players argue that their working conditions and compensation have not kept pace.

“This is not just about more money,” said former WNBA union president Nneka Ogwumike in an interview. “It’s about recognition. About dignity. About building a league where the next generation of players won’t have to fight these same battles.”

Analysts now speculate that a work stoppage—possibly even a strike—could be on the horizon if negotiations continue to stall. With training camps only months away, the league is under mounting pressure to respond with a concrete and respectful offer.

Fans, meanwhile, have shown increasing support for the players. Online, hashtags like #FairCBA and #SupportWNBAPlayers are trending, reflecting a broader shift in how women’s sports are perceived and valued.

As Brionna Jones, Alysha Clark, and many others step forward, one thing is clear: the players are no longer waiting quietly. The ball is now in the league’s court.