The WNBA is riding a wave of unprecedented popularity, but storm clouds are gathering on the labor front. Star forward Angel Reese has become the face of a growing player movement demanding fairer pay and better working conditions, warning that a strike could be looming if the league doesn’t meet the players’ demands.

A League in Transition

For the first time in over two decades, the WNBA is at the center of the sports world’s attention. The 2024 season saw a surge in both ticket sales and television viewership, fueled by the arrival of rookie sensations like Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky and Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever. The league drew over 2.35 million fans to arenas—its highest attendance since 2002—and averaged 657,000 viewers per televised game, a 24-year high.

That momentum translated into a landmark 11-year media rights deal announced in July 2025. The agreement, worth more than $2.2 billion, brings Disney, Amazon Prime Video, and NBC Universal into the fold as broadcast partners, promising to transform the league’s financial landscape for years to come.

But beneath the surface, players are sounding the alarm about persistent inequities. Despite the league’s boom, many WNBA athletes remain frustrated by salaries that lag far behind their male counterparts and by what they see as a lack of meaningful revenue sharing.

Angel Reese Speaks Out

Angel Reese, the 22-year-old Chicago Sky star who helped fuel the WNBA’s recent surge, has become one of the most outspoken advocates for change. On a recent episode of her podcast, “Unapologetically Angel,” Reese didn’t mince words about the possibility of a player strike.

“I need to be in the [players’ union] meetings because I’m hearing that if [the league] don’t give us what we want, we’re sitting out,” Reese declared. Her guest, Dallas Wings standout Dijonai Carrington, echoed the sentiment, calling a strike a real “possibility.”

Reese’s comments came on the heels of the WNBA Players Association’s (WNBPA) decision in October 2024 to opt out of the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA). That move set the stage for a high-stakes showdown between the league’s players and management, with the threat of a work stoppage now hanging over the 2026 season.

The Fight for Fair Compensation

At the heart of the dispute is the issue of player compensation. Under the old CBA, the average WNBA salary for a rookie like Reese is just $75,000—a figure Reese herself has publicly criticized as out of step with the league’s growth and the players’ contributions.

“I love this game, but we need to be paid what we’re worth,” Reese said. “We’re bringing in record crowds, we’re selling out arenas, and we’re driving the league’s success. It’s time for us to get our fair share.”

Many players point to the NBA’s revenue-sharing model as a blueprint for the WNBA’s future. In the NBA, players and owners split basketball-related income 50-50, ensuring that athletes benefit directly from the league’s financial success. By contrast, WNBA players currently receive a much smaller percentage of league revenues.

Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum has been among the most vocal proponents of a new revenue-sharing system. “We’re not asking for the same dollar amounts as the NBA,” Plum explained in a recent interview. “We’re asking for the same percentage. If the league makes more, we should make more too.”

Beyond Salaries: Pensions, Family Planning, and More

But the players’ demands go beyond just salaries. The WNBPA is also seeking improvements in pensions, child care, and family planning benefits—issues that reflect the unique challenges faced by women in professional sports.

“Being a woman in this league means balancing a lot,” said Carrington. “We want to make sure that players can have families, plan for their futures, and know that they’re supported both on and off the court.”

The push for better benefits has gained traction as more WNBA stars speak openly about their experiences with motherhood and family planning. The current CBA includes some provisions for paid maternity leave and child care stipends, but players argue that more robust support is needed to attract and retain top talent.

A League at a Crossroads

The stakes couldn’t be higher. The WNBA’s new media deal is set to inject hundreds of millions of dollars into the league, but unless players and owners can reach a new agreement, the threat of a strike—and even a lockout—will cast a shadow over the league’s bright future.

The 2025 season will be played under the terms of the old CBA, giving both sides a window to negotiate before the current agreement expires. But as Reese and other leaders have made clear, the players are prepared to take drastic action if their demands aren’t met.

“We’re united,” Reese said. “We know our value, and we’re not afraid to fight for it.”

Public and Sponsor Pressure

The public response to the players’ campaign has been overwhelmingly supportive. Social media has lit up with hashtags like #PayWNBAPlayers and #FairShare, as fans and commentators call on the league to do right by its stars.

Sponsors are also watching closely. The WNBA’s reputation as a progressive, player-driven league is part of what has made it attractive to corporate partners. A protracted labor dispute or strike could threaten those relationships and undermine the league’s image at a critical moment.

“Everyone wants to see the league succeed,” said sports marketing expert Rachel Harris. “But that success depends on making sure the players are treated fairly. If the league can’t deliver on that, it risks losing the trust of both fans and sponsors.”

Looking Ahead

As the clock ticks down to the expiration of the old CBA, both sides face mounting pressure to find common ground. For the players, the fight is about more than just money—it’s about respect, recognition, and a seat at the table as the league enters a new era.

For the league’s leadership, the challenge is to balance the realities of the business with the expectations of a new generation of stars who are unafraid to speak out and demand change.

One thing is clear: the WNBA’s future will be shaped not just by what happens on the court, but by the outcome of the negotiations now underway.

Conclusion

Angel Reese’s bold stand has brought the simmering labor tensions in the WNBA into the national spotlight. As the league prepares for another season of growth and excitement, the eyes of the sports world are fixed on what comes next. Will the WNBA seize the moment to set a new standard for women’s professional sports—or will it be derailed by a fight over fair pay and basic rights?

Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the players are ready to make their voices heard, and the league will never be the same.