Myles Turner reveals NBA players' blind spot regarding WNBA's unseen CBA struggle, highlighting player leadership and the fight for crucial concessions.
The ongoing CBA negotiations in the WNBA have largely played out in headlines, but according to Myles Turner, the real work happening behind the scenes is something many NBA players don’t fully grasp.
Speaking on the “Game Recognize Game with Stewie & Myles” podcast alongside Breanna Stewart, Turner offered a candid assessment of the disconnect.
“I don’t think the guys on the NBA side truly see what’s really going on the WNBA side,” Turner said. “We only hear headlines.”
His comments came as Stewart offered a cautiously optimistic update on negotiations between the league and the players’ union. After months of stalled discussions and missed deadlines, Stewart revealed that the sides are “in a new place,” describing recent conversations as important and positive.
“We just got a new proposal,” Stewart explained, noting it was the first response since the players submitted theirs around Christmas. While she did not disclose specifics, she said the tone has shifted and that owners appear more receptive to player concerns.
However, one key development in the latest proposal includes concessions on team-provided housing and minimum facility standards.
According to reports, minimum-salary players would receive one-bedroom apartments, while developmental players would be provided studio housing. Players are also pushing for codified standards such as access to chefs, massage therapists on the road, and upgraded practice facilities across all franchises.
However, the most contentious issue, revenue sharing, remains unresolved. The league has proposed distributing more than 70% of league and team net revenue to players, while the union has requested 30% of gross revenue. That distinction remains a sticking point.
Stewart emphasized the historic nature of moving toward a revenue-sharing model.
“We’re now going to be part of a revenue-sharing model, which is historic for the WNBA,” she said. “It’s tiring and taxing, but you want to be part of it to make sure it’s better for the players and the league.”
Turner highlighted what often goes unseen: the hours of Zoom calls, negotiations on game days, and the leadership burden carried by players like Stewart.
“You’re on four-hour calls the day you have games,” Turner noted. “If the shoe was on the other foot, I think it’d be a lot tougher.”
With roughly three months before the 2026 season begins, there is still time to reach an agreement. For now, there appears to be traction, and, as Turner pointed out, far more happening behind the scenes than most realize.