Signed in January 2020, the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) was supposed to run through to the 2027 WNBA season. However, there was an early opt-out option in the contract. Seeing how much the WNBA’s revenue streams have increased in the last couple of years, the WNBPA announced in 2024 the decision to opt out. Since then, both parties have been involved in negotiating a new deal, but till now, there has been no progress. While all the players are standing together in these negotiations, one of the more vocal players is Napheesa Collier. 

At the 2025 WNBA All-Star week, players made their stance loud and clear, rocking “pay us what you owe us” t-shirts in a direct message to the league. The show of unity drew massive support from across the sporting community, and many believed it would push negotiations into high gear. Instead, with just over 60 days left until the October 31 deadline, talks remain at a standstill. A recent report even suggested that a deal before the deadline is “very unlikely.” Against that backdrop, Collier once again stepped forward to address the media on the CBA.

Talking to the media after a practice session, Collier said, “It feels like it’s kind of same old, same old, we’re not making a lot of progress. It’s unfortunate, we obviously want to get a deal done and it feels like the league doesn’t have that same urgency, and the deadline is quickly approaching. I feel like we’re not close right now.” 

After that report came out, WNBPA Executive Director Terri Carmichael also called out the league for their lack of urgency. She said, “As we approach the 60-day mark, the league’s lack of urgency leaves players wondering if it is focused on making this work or just running out the clock. Fans do not want that. They are with the players in demanding a new standard for the W.” And while Napheesa Collier is one of the more vocal voices, the most popular player of the league, Caitlin Clark, is not far behind in support. 

Just after the All-Star Break, Caitlin Clark was asked about the importance of talking about the CBA. In her response, she said that it was absolutely important for her to publicly voice her thoughts. She said, “We all have a good understanding that this is very important for our future, the future of the league, the future of our careers.” Even though she is not a part of the CBA committee, she is following the path set by the GOAT Michael Jordan when he, despite not being a part of the committee, used his status to help the negotiations.

While the players are well within their rights to take a stand and not budge from their demands, there could be some major consequences to the lack of compromise from both sides. For example, the league could have its first-ever lockout in its entire history. The main points that separate the league and players from making the deal are the revenue share. 

As per reports, in the current CBA, the players are paid just 9.3% of the league’s revenue. While it may have been good enough for the circumstances around the previous CBA, things have changed massively now. Thanks to the Caitlin Clark Effect, the last two years have seen the league’s revenue soar higher and higher. With a new $2.2 billion deal set to kick in and a $250 million per-team expansion fee coming in from the Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia franchises, the league’s revenue is at an all-time high. Another metric to estimate the league’s growth is by the example of the Golden State Valkyries. Bought for the expansion fee of $50 million, the team is already worth $500 million. In their debut campaign, they have managed to become the most valuable franchise and have also 10x the owners’ investment. 

In this boom, it’s only fair that the players who make the league what it is deserve to be paid appropriately. 

Napheesa Collier Tightens Her Grip on the MVP With a Timely Return

For most of the 2025 WNBA season, Napheesa Collier had seemed like the runaway favorite for the MVP award. She started her season with authority with a 34-point explosive performance against Paige Bueckers-led Dallas Wings. Her dominating play continued as last year’s finalists started the season with a 9-0 record. One of the team’s early setbacks came in the Commissioner’s Cup final when the Indiana Fever beat them 74-59 to lift the title. Indiana’s defensive intensity was particularly tough on Collier as she was held to just 6-18 from the floor and 12 points.

However, since then, Collier came out with revenge and led Minnesota to an 11-3 record. This run also included a historic 36-point All-Star MPV-worthy performance. This run of performances made her a big favorite for the MVP award. But soon another setback came. During Minnesota’s record-setting 53-point win over the Minnesota Lynx, Napheesa suffered an ankle sprain. This injury kept her out of action for nearly three weeks. In these three weeks, the MVP race heated up majorly.

Due to Napheesa’s absence and A’ja Wilson leading the Aces to a remarkable turnaround, Collier’s odds of winning the MVP came down dramatically, as Wilson’s shot up. However, Collier finally made her return to the court after missing the past seven games. In her return, she showed no signs of rust as she dropped 32 points in their win against the Indiana Fever.

Thanks to this performance, Collier has consolidated her position as the favorite for the award. As of now, she has over a 75% chance of locking up her first MVP. If there are no injuries, it seems pretty clear that she would deny A’ja Wilson a record-breaking 4th MVP award. With just seven games remaining in their 2025 regular season, Napheesa Collier winning the MVP seems like a question of when and not if. Wish that were the case with increased revenue also.