WNBA Players Speak Out on Owner Divide Amid Lockout Fears

Fever guard Sophie Cunningham discusses split between WNBA owners who invest heavily versus those doing "the bare minimum".

Feb. 12, 2026 at 5:23pm by Ben Kaplan

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In the midst of ongoing CBA negotiations between the WNBA and players' union, Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has spoken out about a major divide she sees among WNBA owners. Cunningham argues that half the league's owners are committed to heavily investing in their teams and facilities, while the other half are doing the "bare minimum." She cites teams like Indiana, New York, Seattle, and Phoenix as examples of owners who "truly take care" of their players, while calling for owners unwilling to invest to "sell your team." Cunningham's comments come as the WNBA faces a potential lockout before the 2026 season, with an expansion draft, free agency, and draft all still to be completed.

Why it matters

The split in investment and commitment among WNBA owners could be a major factor in the ongoing CBA negotiations and the potential for a lockout. If some owners are unwilling to provide the resources and support that players feel they need, it could lead to a standoff that disrupts the upcoming season.

The details

According to Cunningham, a group of WNBA owners including those of the Fever, Liberty, Mercury, and Storm are heavily investing in their teams and facilities. She singled out the Fever's plans to build "one of the best facilities in the entire world" by 2027. However, Cunningham said other owners are doing the "bare minimum" for their players, a divide she finds "mind-blowing." She argued those unwilling owners should "sell your team and let other people who want to be a part of something great, put their money into it."

  • The WNBA is currently in the midst of CBA negotiations with the players' union.
  • An expansion draft for two new WNBA franchises, as well as free agency and the 2026 WNBA Draft, are all still to be completed before the 2026 season can begin.

The players

Sophie Cunningham

A guard for the Indiana Fever and host of the "Show Me Something" podcast, where she discussed the divide among WNBA owners.

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What they’re saying

“Half our league as owners want to pour in and give, and like the other half just don't. It was like New York, Seattle, Phoenix, Indiana. Indiana is building one of the best facilities in the entire world in 2027. Practice facilities.”

— Sophie Cunningham, Fever Guard

“Indiana takes care of you. They truly take care of you from top to bottom. New York does the same thing, Phoenix, Seattle, I think the Valkyries in San Fran do a great job. I think Toronto is going to do a great job, but like it just blows my mind that these other owners are doing the most bare minimum. And it's like, sell your team and let other people who want to be a part of something great, put their money into it.”

— Sophie Cunningham, Fever Guard

What’s next

The WNBA and players' union will need to come to a new CBA agreement before the 2026 season can begin. This will require bridging the divide Cunningham described among the league's owners.

The takeaway

The split in investment and commitment among WNBA owners could be a major obstacle in CBA negotiations and threatens to disrupt the upcoming 2026 season. If some owners are unwilling to provide the resources players feel they need, it may lead to a lockout that would be the first in league history.