WNBA, Dallas Wings Await Key CBA Negotiation Update

Players Union and league set to meet next week as deadline looms for 2026 season

Jan. 30, 2026 at 5:31pm

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The Dallas Wings and the rest of the WNBA are making progress in negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement, with the Players Union and league set to meet early next week to discuss how to reach a deal ahead of the 2026 season. Los Angeles Sparks point guard Kelsey Plum is optimistic about the upcoming meeting, while New York Liberty guard Tasha Cloud emphasized the players' firm stance in the negotiations.

Why it matters

The WNBA and its players have been in a status quo period after failing to make much progress in negotiations, raising concerns about the start of the 2026 season. The upcoming meeting is seen as a critical juncture in the negotiations, with both sides needing to find common ground to avoid a potential work stoppage.

The details

The WNBA and Players Union will meet early next week to discuss how to come to an agreement on a new CBA ahead of the 2026 season. Plum expressed optimism about the meeting, saying "I think we'll learn a lot from this meeting." However, Cloud emphasized the players' firm stance, saying "We are standing firm in our feet and 10 toes down, there is a reason, and we will not move until y'all move."

  • The WNBA and Players Union will meet early next week to discuss the CBA negotiations.
  • The Dallas Wings are set to begin their 2026 season on May 9 against the Indiana Fever.

The players

Kelsey Plum

A point guard for the Los Angeles Sparks who is optimistic about the upcoming CBA negotiations meeting.

Tasha Cloud

A guard for the New York Liberty who emphasized the players' firm stance in the CBA negotiations.

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What they’re saying

“I think we'll learn a lot from this 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. The league has their timelines; we as players understand what's at stake.”

— Kelsey Plum, Los Angeles Sparks point guard (USA Today)

“We are standing firm in our feet and 10 toes down, there is a reason, and we will not move until y'all move. It would be the worst business decision of any business to not literally pay the players that make your business go. Without us, there is no W season. So if the pressure is on the WNBA, on Cathy (Engelbert), on (NBA commissioner) Adam (Silver), on everyone that is in that front office. Do your job. Negotiate and pay your people, your players, your workers.”

— Tasha Cloud, New York Liberty guard (USA Today)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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