Players demand fair compensation now. Angel Reese warns a WNBA strike looms if league negotiations fail to meet core player expectations.
It has been quite a good outlook for Angel Reese as she made a return to the Unrivaled. So now that the season is over, the Chi Town Barbie is addressing serious issues around the WNBA.
Recently, the Chicago Sky forward made it clear that WNBA players remain firm in their demands as negotiations for a new CBA continue, warning that a strike remains possible if the league fails to meet their expectations.
With the March 10 deadline approaching and no agreement yet reached between the WNBA and WNBPA, Reese emphasized that players want to compete but believe fair compensation must come first.
“Everybody wants to play but all of us want to play at what we should be compensated for,” Reese said while addressing the ongoing negotiations. “So we’re just going to continue to negotiate. Negotiation is not easy.”
The second-year star added that the back-and-forth nature of negotiations is part of the process and something she understands well through her own experiences with contract discussions.
“I talk to my team all the time—when I negotiate deals, you go back and forth until you come to a common ground of what we both can go for,” Reese explained. “I’m just going to continue to be a voice and do whatever I can as a young voice that knows that I do have a platform in this.”
Reese’s comments come at a pivotal moment for the league as the two sides remain divided on several key issues, including salary cap growth and revenue sharing.
The WNBPA has pushed for a significantly higher salary structure, reportedly seeking a starting salary cap around $9.45 million. By comparison, the league’s current proposal would raise the cap to $5.75 million in the first year of the new agreement, with projections suggesting it could increase to approximately $8.5 million by 2031.
Revenue sharing has also become a central sticking point in negotiations. Players are seeking roughly 25–26% of the league’s gross revenue over the life of the agreement. The WNBA’s current proposal instead offers players 50% of net revenue, which translates to less than 15% of total gross revenue.
These differences have created a tense standoff as the deadline approaches.
Back in December 2025, WNBA players voted overwhelmingly to authorize union leadership to call a strike if necessary. The vote reportedly passed with 98% support and participation from more than 90% of players, signaling strong unity within the union.
Reese acknowledged that while players hope to avoid that scenario, the possibility remains on the table if negotiations do not produce a fair deal.
“We do all want to play basketball,” Reese said. “But at the same time we do want to be compensated for what we deserve.”
The debate comes during a period of rapid growth for the WNBA, which has seen increased viewership, sponsorships and fan engagement over the past two seasons. That surge in popularity has strengthened players’ arguments for a larger share of the league’s financial success.
Still, with both sides holding firm on their positions and the clock ticking toward the March deadline, the future of the upcoming WNBA season remains uncertain.
For players like Reese, however, the message is simple: the league’s continued growth must translate into better conditions and compensation for the athletes driving that success.