Caitlin Clark Calls for WNBA and Players Union to "Iron It Out" Amid CBA Stalemate

The Fever star says the two sides need to "look each other in the eye, shake hands, and respect both sides" to preserve the 2026 season.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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With the WNBA's deadline to agree on a new collective bargaining agreement just days away, Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark has called on the league and the Women's National Basketball Players Association to "get in a room and iron it out and shake hands" in order to preserve the full 44-game 2026 season. Clark, who is set to debut for the U.S. national team at the FIBA Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament, says that's "how business is" and that the two sides need to "look each other in the eye, you shake hands, you respect both sides."

Why it matters

The WNBA and WNBPA have been locked in a contentious CBA negotiation, with the players union pushing for enhanced revenue sharing. If a deal is not reached by the league's Tuesday deadline, the 2026 season could be in jeopardy, depriving fans of a full slate of games and denying players their livelihood.

The details

WNBPA vice president Breanna Stewart, fresh off winning the 3-on-3 league's Unrivaled title with Mist BC, says the players "want to have the season" but that "the right numbers" need to be in the deal. The players' union has been particularly focused on securing a better revenue sharing agreement with the league.

  • The WNBA's deadline to agree on a new CBA is Tuesday, March 11, 2026.
  • Caitlin Clark made her comments from USA Basketball training camp in Miami, Florida.

The players

Caitlin Clark

An All-Star guard for the Indiana Fever who is set to make her debut for the U.S. national team at the FIBA Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament.

Breanna Stewart

The vice president of the WNBPA and a recent champion in the 3-on-3 Unrivaled league as a member of Mist BC.

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What they’re saying

“That's how business is. You look each other in the eye, you shake hands, you respect both sides.”

— Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever Guard (Front Office Sports)

“We want the deal to be done. We want to have the season. We just need to find the right numbers that reflect it.”

— Breanna Stewart, WNBPA Vice President (Front Office Sports)

What’s next

The WNBA and WNBPA have until Tuesday, March 11, 2026 to reach a new collective bargaining agreement and preserve the full 44-game 2026 season.

The takeaway

This labor dispute highlights the ongoing challenges the WNBA faces in securing fair compensation and working conditions for its players, who are seeking a greater share of the league's revenues. Caitlin Clark's call for the two sides to "get in a room and iron it out" underscores the urgency to find common ground before the 2026 season is jeopardized.