The WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement expires at the end of the upcoming season, and some of the league’s best and most influential players are discussing their futures.
During the latest episode of her podcast “Unapologetically Angel,” Angel Reese and DiJonai Carrington discussed the potential for a lockout.
“I got to get in the meetings, because I’m hearing like, if y’all don’t give us what we want, we sitting out,” Reese said, stressing that she wants to have her voice heard and her needs met when it comes to negotiations.
Reese also acknowledged that the players who come in after a new CBA is established are likely to make more money on their rookie contracts – a key point in the bargaining efforts for the new agreement.
Reese was criticized for her comments, as some fans argued that the WNBA wasn’t profitable enough for players to ask for a greater share of revenue.
One account even said that Reese “demanded” to be paid as much as her NBA counterparts. After seeing her words misconstrued, Reese took to social media to defend herself.
“I love how yall have selective hearing. I said ‘I’m hearing if they don’t give us what we want, we sitting out’ and that’s the truth. I never said anything about the NBA,” Reese said on X Saturday afternoon.
“We are prepared to stay at the negotiating table for as long as it takes.”
Reese then provided a link to the episode in order for those interested to hear the full context, and added that she “will continue to use my voice to speak for what WE want & deserve as a league.”
ARLINGTON, TX – MAY 15: Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky looks on before the game against the Dallas Wings on May 15, 2024 at the College Park Center in Arlington, TX.
Michael Gonzales/Getty Images
Reese and Carrington each participated in Unrivaled, a new three-on-three league that promised players better offseason pay and benefits they may not have received from their WNBA teams.
Players enjoyed the experience and have advocated for some of the same changes to be made in the more established league. They’ve opted out of the current CBA and will play under the current rules for the 2025 season.
We’ll see what happens in negotiations over the next several months, and if Reese and her counterparts decide to hold out until their needs are met.
