Angel Reese Warns WNBA of Potential Player Strike Ahead of CBA Talks
In October 2024, the WNBA Player’s Association chose to opt out of its collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the league, raising concerns about the possibility of a labor dispute or even a lockout.
This concern grew stronger following recent remarks by Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese. On an episode of her podcast, Unapologetically Angel, Reese revealed that a player strike could be a reality if the league doesn’t meet the demands of the Player’s Association.
“I need to be in the [players’ union] meetings because I’m hearing that if [the league] doesn’t give us what we want, we’re sitting out,” Reese shared.
Dallas Wings star Dijonai Carrington, also a guest on the podcast, echoed Reese’s sentiment, acknowledging that a player strike is a “possibility.”
The WNBA saw a surge in both viewership and ticket sales last season, partly driven by Reese and Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, both rookies in the league. In September, the WNBA reported a total of 2,353,735 fans attending games, marking the highest attendance in 22 years. Additionally, an average of 657,000 fans tuned in to televised games, the highest in 24 years.
This growth in fan engagement led to a major boost for the league, culminating in a historic 11-year media rights deal with Disney, Amazon Prime Video, and NBC Universal worth over $2.2 billion, announced in July.
Despite the league’s financial growth, many players, including Los Angeles Sparks star Kelsey Plum, have expressed concerns over revenue sharing, feeling they don’t receive a fair share under the current CBA. Plum, among others, has called for a system similar to the NBA’s, where players and owners split revenue equally.
Key issues like revenue sharing, salaries, pensions, and family-related benefits are central to the ongoing CBA negotiations, which will be critical to avoid a work stoppage.
The WNBA’s 2025 season kicks off on May 16. While the league will operate under the existing CBA for now, the clock is ticking for the two sides to reach a new agreement.
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