WNBA Star Napheesa Collier Speaks on CBA Negotiations: 'Someone's Gonna Have to Fold'

Collier says the players' union remains confident the 2026 season will happen, but compromise is needed.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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As the WNBA and its players' union continue to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement, WNBPA vice president Napheesa Collier spoke to USA TODAY about the ongoing talks. Collier says 'someone's gonna have to fold' as the two sides remain at odds over revenue sharing and housing concessions. The players' union recently submitted a counterproposal requesting 25% of gross revenue in the first year, increasing to an average of 27.5% over the life of the deal, along with a salary cap of less than $9.5 million. The WNBA is currently offering more than 70% of league and team net revenue with a $5.65 million salary cap. Collier expressed confidence the 2026 season will happen but acknowledged the need for compromise from both sides.

Why it matters

The WNBA and its players' union are in a critical period of CBA negotiations, with the 2026 season hanging in the balance. As one of the league's top stars, Napheesa Collier's perspective provides insight into the players' stance and the challenges both sides face in reaching an agreement that works for all parties involved.

The details

In the latest counterproposal from the WNBPA, the union requested 25% of gross revenue in the first year, increasing to an average of 27.5% over the life of the deal. The union also proposed a salary cap of less than $9.5 million. This is down from the 30% of gross revenue the players previously sought. The WNBA is currently offering more than 70% of league and team net revenue with a $5.65 million salary cap. The WNBPA also advocated for housing to continue in the early years of a player's career, with the option to phase it out later on for higher-earning players. The WNBA has stated the players' latest proposal remains 'unrealistic' and would result in hundreds of millions of dollars in losses for the teams.

  • The regular WNBA season is scheduled to start on May 8, 2026.
  • The Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire will have expansion drafts before the start of the 2026 season.
  • Free agency and the 2026 WNBA draft also need to take place before the season can begin.

The players

Napheesa Collier

A five-time WNBA All-Star with the Minnesota Lynx and the vice president of the WNBPA.

WNBA

The professional women's basketball league in the United States.

WNBPA

The players' union representing WNBA athletes.

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What they’re saying

“Well, someone's gonna have to fold, aren't they?”

— Napheesa Collier, WNBPA Vice President (USA TODAY)

“The Players Association's latest proposal remains unrealistic and would cause hundreds of millions of dollars of losses for our teams. We still need to complete two Drafts and free agency before the start of training camp and are running out of time. We believe the WNBA's proposal would result in a huge win for current players and generations to come.”

— WNBA (USA TODAY)

“We don't think, obviously, what we're asking for is unfair, otherwise we wouldn't be asking for it. But we understand it's a negotiation, and I think we are trending in the right direction. But, we have to be able to stand strong in what we believe in and make sure that we are getting a fair cut in this pie that we are building together as a league and as players.”

— Napheesa Collier, WNBPA Vice President (USA TODAY)

What’s next

The WNBA and WNBPA will continue negotiating a new CBA, with the regular season scheduled to start on May 8, 2026. The two sides will need to reach an agreement before the upcoming expansion drafts, free agency, and 2026 WNBA draft can take place.

The takeaway

The ongoing CBA negotiations between the WNBA and its players' union highlight the delicate balance between the league's financial realities and the players' desire for a fairer revenue share and improved working conditions. As a key figure in the talks, Napheesa Collier's comments underscore the need for compromise from both sides to ensure the 2026 season and the long-term growth of the WNBA.