More than 40 WNBA players gathered for a critical collective bargaining session with league officials last Thursday, the largest in-person CBA meeting in league history. But what was expected to be a meaningful step toward a new agreement instead left many players frustrated and disappointed.
The meeting took place on the eve of All-Star Weekend, offering a rare window where players from all teams could unite in one room. Despite detailed preparation and firm demands on issues such as revenue sharing, player benefits and season structure, players said the league’s response lacked substance, and urgency.
Breanna Stewart: “It Was a Wasted Opportunity”
New York Liberty forward and WNBPA vice president Breanna Stewart, who helped lead the union’s delegation, said the conversation failed to produce the kind of progress players were hoping for.
“To be frank, it was a wasted opportunity,” Stewart said. “We could have really kind of gotten into a deeper dive of everything, but it was a lot of fluff that we couldn’t get past. And it sucks because situations like that aren’t going to happen again … this is the only time to have a group together.”
Stewart said the league seemed unprepared for the level of resolve and knowledge players brought to the session.
“Some of the people on the other side of the table were shocked at how passionate we are, especially when it comes to revenue sharing,” she said.
With no additional in-person meeting scheduled before the season ends, Stewart emphasized the urgency of the moment.
“There’s a lot to be figured out,” she said. “We need to have a little bit more of a sense of urgency because if we don’t have it figured out by end of season, then we have bigger problems and things to worry about.”
Angel Reese: “It Was an Eye-Opener”
Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese, in her second WNBA season, said the experience made it clear how far players still have to go in the fight for fair treatment.
“Yesterday really woke me up to the eyes of we aren’t getting what we deserve,” Reese said. “We’re not gonna stop until we get exactly what we want.”
She stressed that speaking out publicly matters — not just for today’s players, but for the future of the league.
“This is for the next generation,” she said. “It’s important to be able to be vocal. If I sit back, it looks like I don’t care. I know my voice and I know my platform.”
Paige Bueckers: “It Was Kind of Disrespectful”
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft and a first-time All-Star starter, also attended the meeting and didn’t mince words.
“Over 40 people in that room — it was historic for CBA negotiations,” Bueckers said. “But there wasn’t a point where we felt we were coming to a meeting of the minds. What they proposed was not enough — it was kind of disrespectful.”
She added that many players left the meeting feeling “frustrated” and “hurt.”
Breanna Stewart said there was “a lot of fluff” at the first in-person CBA meeting Thursday.
“I think yesterday’s meeting was good for the fact that we could be in the same room as the league and the board of governors. But, I think, to be frank, it was a wasted opportunity.” https://t.co/WP9CcEKx0Z pic.twitter.com/ryp36YVM0A
— Colin Salao (@colincsalao) July 18, 2025
Napheesa Collier: “We’re Standing Really Firm”
Minnesota Lynx forward and WNBPA vice president Napheesa Collier said the overwhelming turnout showed how committed players are to negotiating meaningful change.
“We have the most participation in league history,” Collier said Saturday. “I think we had close to 40 players in our league meeting. I think it sends a really strong message that we’re standing really firm on certain areas that we feel really strongly that we need to improve on. And I think we got that message across.”
She added that players are preparing for the possibility of a work stoppage, a step no one wants to take, but one they won’t shy away.
“[A work stoppage] is not what anybody wants,” she said. “But at the end of the day, we h ave to stand firm. We’re not going to be moving on certain topics.”
Gabby Williams: “We’re Not to Be Bamboozled”
Seattle Storm forward Gabby Williams, another All-Star in attendance, criticized the league’s presentation, saying it ‘lacked transparency and underestimated the players’ understanding of the details.
“They thought … that they could just impress us with some fancy numbers and some fancy language and not think that we would actually understand what this meant for us as far as revenue sharing and everything,” Williams said. “I think they heard that we’re not to be bamboozled.”
Cathy Engelbert: “We’re Engaged in Constructive Conversations”
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressed the situation publicly on Saturday in Indianapolis, offering a more optimistic take on the meeting.
“We had a productive meeting on Thursday with the WNBPA and the players,” Engelbert said. “We’re engaged in constructive conversations. I remain confident that we’ll reach a new CBA — one that’s transformational for the players, team owners, and future of our league.”
The current CBA, signed in 2020, is set to expire on Oct. 31. Both sides say they hope to avoid a work stoppage, but with no future meetings currently on the schedule, time is running short.
