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Caitlin Clark has made her support for the WNBPA and the ongoing CBA negotiations with the WNBA known in the past, but hadn’t spoken publicly about the topic since December — that is, until Saturday. While speaking to reporters during Team USA’s training camp ahead of next week’s World Cub Qualifiers, Clark expressed frustration and confusion about where things stand.
“I don’t understand why we don’t just get in a room and iron it out and shake hands,” Clark said. “That’s how business is. You look each other in the eye, you shake hands, you respect both sides. For me, that’s what I would love to see.”
Clark, who is well-versed in the world of business thanks to her numerous NIL and partnership deals, wasn’t the only player in Miami who said things could be a lot easier. Breanna Stewart expressed a similar idea while she spoke to reporters, too.
“I think that would be great for us all to sit in a room until we really get it done,” Breanna Stewart said. “If that means sitting in there for hours and hours at a time, let’s do it. That’s for the better of the player. While a situation like that has never happened before, there’s a first time for everything.”
The WNBPA and WNBA have exchanged new proposals this weekend
There’s hope that a new agreement will be struck by March 10, which is the date the WNBA has said needs to be met if the 2026 season is going to begin on time. The season is currently set to begin on May 8.
The WNBPA and WNBA exchanged proposals this weekend, ESPN and several outlets reported. The players first sent their proposal Friday, which prompted an exceptionally speedy response from the league on Saturday. So far, it’s not clear what changes the players and the league each made in their separate proposals.
Revenue sharing remains the issue that most divides the two parties. The players have requested 26% of revenue before expenses, and the league has offered 70% of net revenue, which would amount to approximately 15% of the gross.
If a handshake agreement is struck on the 10th, the players and the league will sign the deal on March 31. From there, several things have to take place in the span of three weeks: expansion drafts for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, free agency for the majority of the league, and the 2026 WNBA Draft. Teams are set to begin training camps on or around April 18.
