Podcast dissects WNBA labor talks and Unrivaled's early impact, revealing player demands and competitive insights.
Uncertainty surrounding the WNBA’s labor future and the first competitive impressions from Unrivaled took center stage in the latest episode of the WNBA Roundtable podcast, hosted by Grant Afseth and CC Andrews.
The episode centers on two parallel developments shaping the women’s basketball landscape this winter: ongoing collective bargaining agreement negotiations between the league and the WNBA Players Association, and the opening week of Unrivaled, the new three-on-three competition providing players with a high-level offseason platform.
Afseth and Andrews frame the CBA discussion around what is known — and what remains unresolved. While no agreement has been reached, both hosts note that the absence of lockout language and the continuation of league business suggest an expectation that a deal will ultimately come together. That relative stability, however, has not eliminated core disagreements.
Much of the conversation focuses on revenue sharing. The players’ union has pushed for a model tied to gross revenue, while the league has favored a net-revenue framework that accounts for growing operational costs. Those expenses include charter flights, increased security, staffing needs, facility upgrades and higher coaching salaries, all of which have expanded as the league’s profile has risen.
Andrews emphasizes that while average salaries continue to increase incrementally, players remain dissatisfied with how revenue growth has been allocated. Afseth adds that the structure of league finances — particularly how coaches and players are categorized on balance sheets — has become an increasingly visible point of contention as new investments flow into the sport.
The podcast then shifts to Unrivaled’s opening week, which both hosts view as revealing rather than surprising. The three-on-three format has highlighted the importance of decision-making, versatility and conditioning, while also creating space for players to experiment and refine specific aspects of their games.
Chelsea Gray’s early dominance becomes a focal point of the discussion, serving as an example of how elite playmaking translates across formats. The hosts also point to strong scoring outputs across the league and note how the condensed style places a premium on two-way impact and late-game execution.
Beyond star performances, Afseth and Andrews discuss how Unrivaled may benefit younger players and those seeking expanded roles. With fewer constraints and more repetitions, the league provides opportunities for development that could carry over into the WNBA season.
Team performance, injuries and early point differentials are addressed with caution. Both hosts stress that limited sample sizes make sweeping conclusions premature, particularly as key players work toward returns that could quickly reshape the standings.
The episode closes by connecting the two main themes. As players gain visibility and leverage through platforms like Unrivaled, the stakes of the ongoing CBA negotiations become clearer. The business of women’s basketball and the evolution of its on-court product are moving in tandem — and, as Afseth and Andrews suggest, neither can be evaluated in isolation.
The full episode of the WNBA Roundtable podcast will soon be available on YouTube, with information to be provided at a later date.