The Indiana Fever completed the 2025 regular season with a 24–20 record, finishing third in the Eastern Conference.
Despite losing Caitlin Clark to a season-ending groin injury in July, the team won the midseason Commissioner’s Cup and advanced to the WNBA semifinals, where they pushed the eventual champion Las Vegas Aces to a decisive Game 5 before falling 107–98 in overtime.
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Now that progress has stalled as the league faces a potential delay to the 2026 season due to a tense collective bargaining agreement (CBA) dispute.
Recent ESPN reports confirm the specific figures and deal structures under negotiation between the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA). Players are asking for an average of 27.5% of gross revenue over the life of the agreement, starting at 25% in 2026. This is a decrease from their December request of 31%.
The union’s proposed cap for 2026 has dropped to under $9.5 million, down from the previous $10.5 million ask. Players also proposed a phased housing arrangement.
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However, while the previous December proposal was estimated to cause $700 million in losses, a WNBA source told ESPN that the new counterproposal would still result in roughly $460 million in losses over the agreement’s lifetime.
WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike told ESPN the league’s claims of poverty are contradictory. She noted that if the league was losing as much money as claimed, billionaires wouldn’t be racing each other to pay $250 million expansion fees for new teams. She feels the league’s claim of financial losses is like saying, “their pockets are empty while you’re also holding the keys to a brand-new Ferrari.”
Now, in a statement to ESPN, a WNBA spokesperson called the union’s latest offer “unrealistic,” adding, “We still need to complete two Drafts and free agency before the start of training camp and are running out of time. We believe the WNBA’s proposal would result in a huge win for current players and generations to come.”
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The 2026 WNBA season is set to tip off May 8, with the WNBA draft scheduled for April 13. However, the league remains in a state of legal limbo. An expansion draft for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo has been delayed, and free agency is frozen due to the lack of a new CBA. For Fever fans waiting to see the team’s progress with Clark, this active standoff is a major setback.
Related: Indiana Fever Star Caitlin Clark Makes Retirement Admission on Tuesday
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
