WNBA Players Vote to Authorize Executive Committee to Call Strike 'When Necessary'

Players from the WNBA voted overwhelmingly in favor of allowing the executive committee for the Women's National Basketball Players Association "to call a strike when necessary."

The union said 93 percent of its membership took part in the vote, and 98 percent of that group authorized the possible action:

The WNBA responded with a statement, saying they "strongly disagree" that negotiations are far apart:

The Athletic's Ben Pickman reported on Monday the WNBA and WNBPA "remain far apart" in negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement. Beyond the structure for player compensation, the two sides are reportedly divided on other topics such as player housing benefits and the starting date for training camps.

WNBPA executive director Terri Jackson told CNBC Sport's Alex Sherman the union is "a little frustrated with where we are right now."

"We're staying open to the fact that these negotiations will continue, because they must," Jackson said. "We'll be at the table for as long as they take, and we're hopeful that there's enough folks on the team side of things that will start to push these things along."

The director added that "everything seems to still be a sticking point," without pointing to any specific facet of discussion.

A number of the WNBA's biggest stars participated in a Team USA training camp in Durham, North Carolina, last week, and the CBA was understandably a talking point.

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark labeled these negotiations the "biggest moment in the history" of the league.

"It's not something that can be messed up," she told reporters. "We're going to fight for everything we deserve, but at the same time we need to play basketball. That's what our fans crave. You want the product on the floor. In the end of the day that's how you're marketable, that's what the fans want to show up for."

Clark also expressed the need for "compromise on both sides."

Los Angeles Sparks star Kelsey Plum, who's a vice president in the union, was candid in assessing the progress at the bargaining table.

"To be honest, it's been disheartening, frustration in the negotiation and how far away we are," she said. "What I'm proud of is we play with a group of women who are united and are standing on something. It's not just about us, it's about the future and women in general. Fighting for what needs to be done. Stand on that and chip away and hopefully get to something that we're really proud of."

Ahead of the NBA Cup final, NBA commissioner Adam Silver told reporters he's "tracking things very closely" and "optimistic" that an agreement will come. He said he's willing to take an active role if necessary.

"We're integrated at the league office. I talk to the people who are at the negotiating table on a daily basis," Silver said. "As I've said before, we, the NBA-WNBA collective, acknowledged that our players deserve to be paid significantly more than they have so far based on the increased success of the league. It's just a question now of finding a meeting of the minds in terms of what is a fair deal. It's going to require compromise on both sides."

The 2025 WNBA regular season didn't tip off until May 16, so there isn't yet an imminent threat of a work stoppage jeopardizing games.

An ongoing stalemate would, however, have a significant impact on the WNBA's offseason business.

Teams are typically permitted to begin signing free agents on Feb. 1. Nearly every veteran player is hitting the open market this winter, and the league has yet to finalize major components of the salary cap. The Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo are entering the WNBA as well, and the expansion draft is forced onto the back burner until a new CBA is in place.