The WNBA and WNBPA are set to meet in person on Monday, Feb. 2, for the first time since the fall. This meeting comes after the parties had not agreed to an extension or new CBA by the already extended Jan. 9 deadline and entered a “status quo” period. Since Jan. 10, the working conditions of the former CBA have been maintained, but anti-strike and anti-lockout clauses in the now-expired CBA have been lifted, giving either side the ability to initiate a work stoppage. Both sides reportedly agreed to a moratorium on league business though, halting the initial stages of free agency in which teams would have delivered qualifying offers and core designations to players from Jan. 11-20.

However, CBA talks have reportedly been at a standstill for weeks. The WNBPA submitted a proposal a month ago that the league has not yet officially responded to. The league believed it didn’t warrant a response because it wasn’t that different from previous ones the union had submitted. ESPN reported that the league is waiting for the players to submit a more “realistic” proposal. 

Revenue sharing and related salaries continue to be a sticking point. We previously broke down the revenue-sharing debate and other potential issues.

Despite the lack of CBA, the WNBA released the full 2026 schedule on Jan. 21. The regular season is scheduled to begin May 8 — less than 100 days away. And before the league’s milestone 30th season can begin, it still needs to host a two-team expansion draft and unprecedentedly large free agency. The WNBA college draft is scheduled for April 13. 

The WNBA players are prepared to strike if an agreement can’t be met, as they already voted to authorize the WNBPA executive committee to call a strike when they deemed necessary on Dec. 18.

WNBPA first vice president Kelsey Plum told reporters that she is not entering Monday’s meeting with any expectations. However, hoping to avoid “games of telephone,” this is an important last-chance effort. Plum, WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike, WNBPA vice presidents Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart will be in attendance, The IX Sports reports. The players are hopeful that owners will also join the meeting.

“I’m not trying to put it on the meeting, but this is a meeting that I think everyone understands what’s at stake,” Plum said. “The league has their timelines; we as players understand what’s at stake. I always come into anything that I do with a great attitude, and I’m gonna see the best in this.”