WNBA Faces Looming Lockout as Players, League Remain at Odds – and Congress Takes Notice
September 11, 2025 – As the WNBA playoffs approach, a shadow hangs over the league: the very real possibility of a lockout. Negotiations between the WNBA and the WNBPA (Women’s National Basketball Players Association) are reportedly stalled, raising concerns that the momentum of a rapidly growing league could be derailed before the next season tips off.
The core of the dispute centers around a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).players are seeking a deal that reflects the league’s burgeoning success and increased revenue, arguing they deserve a greater share of the profits. With the WNBA poised for significant financial growth in the coming years, fueled by rising viewership and sponsorships, the players’ demands are gaining traction – and attracting attention from outside the basketball world.
recent reports indicate a significant gap between the league’s offers and the players’ requests, making a compromise increasingly unlikely. This impasse has prompted intervention from a surprising source: the U.S. Congress.On Tuesday, 85 members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus and House Democratic Caucus sent a letter to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, urging the league to “bargain in good faith to reach a fair CBA in a timely manner before the October 31 deadline.”
The letter, reported by Kareem Copeland, further expressed concern over “the WNBA’s delayed response, the differing accounts on the status of negotiations, and that the needs of players are not being fully addressed.”[blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”>[blockquoteclass=”twitter-tweet”>
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Breaking: 85 members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus and House Democratic Caucus have signed a letter to WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert urging the league to “bargain in good faith to reach a fair CBA in a timely manner before the October 31 deadline.”
The letter also states:…
– Kareem Copeland (@kareemcopeland) September 10, 2025
The involvement of Congress underscores the high stakes. The WNBA has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years, attracting new fans and lucrative partnerships.A lockout would not only halt this momentum but also damage the league’s reputation and possibly alienate its growing fanbase.
While the october 31st deadline looms, an extension to negotiations remains a possibility if both sides believe further talks could yield a resolution. However, failure to reach an agreement before the start of the next season would undoubtedly trigger a crisis, jeopardizing the future of the league and the careers of its players.
Keywords: WNBA,WNBPA,CBA,Collective Bargaining Agreement,Lockout,Cathy Engelbert,Women’s Basketball,Congress,Democratic Women’s Caucus,Sports News,Basketball news.
