WNBA Players REFUSE PROPOSAL THAT WOULD TRIPLE SALARIES As LOCKOUT DEADLINE CREEPS UP

Tensions across the WNBA have reached a boiling point as players reportedly rejected a proposal that would have tripled their salaries, sending the league careening toward a potential 2026 lockout. What should have been a celebratory step toward progress has instead become one of the most divisive moments in recent league history — and insiders say the relationship between players and WNBA leadership is now at its most fragile state ever.

According to multiple reports, the proposal, backed by Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and league owners, promised a massive jump in base salaries and performance bonuses. Top players could have seen their annual pay rise from roughly $250,000 to more than $750,000, with mid-tier players earning over $300,000 for the first time. But the offer came with a price: stricter media requirements, reduced overseas freedom, and the introduction of a controversial “WNBA performance pool” that many players called manipulative.

Sources within the players’ union revealed that stars like A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Napheesa Collier voiced strong objections behind closed doors. Their concern wasn’t about the money — it was about control. “You can’t buy our silence or independence,” one player reportedly said after the meeting. “We want respect, not just a paycheck.”

At the heart of the dispute lies the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations, which have been quietly escalating for months. The league’s current CBA is set to expire next season, and both sides have already hinted at the possibility of a work stoppage if no deal is reached. Players argue that the proposed salary increase is simply a distraction from deeper issues — like poor scheduling, substandard travel conditions, and the league’s restrictive offseason play rules.

Many veterans have publicly warned that locking players into stricter commitments without genuine improvements in facilities, medical care, or marketing support is a short-sighted move. Kelsey Mitchell of the Indiana Fever put it bluntly last week: “If you triple the money but keep the same broken structure, you’re not solving anything.”

Meanwhile, Commissioner Engelbert has defended the league’s offer, calling it “the most ambitious compensation plan in WNBA history.” She emphasized that growing the league’s financial stability requires accountability and alignment with sponsors, media partners, and fans. However, players see the plan as another attempt by management to consolidate power rather than share it.

The looming lockout threat has already sent shockwaves through the basketball community. Analysts predict that a prolonged dispute could derail the WNBA’s current growth momentum — especially with star names like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese driving unprecedented fan engagement and revenue. If the league fails to secure harmony now, it risks losing not only talent but also public trust.

Fans have taken to social media to express frustration, with many siding with the players. “They’ve earned more than just a raise,” one viral post read. “They’ve earned a voice.”

As the deadline draws near, the tension between empowerment and exploitation is sharper than ever. The next few weeks will determine not only the future of WNBA contracts — but the very foundation of women’s basketball in America.