WNBA collective bargaining negotiations are heating up as the 2026 season approaches, and players are making it clear they want progress — fast. In an interview with CBS Sports, Elizabeth Williams, secretary of the WNBA Players Association (WNBPA), said the union is pushing for a stronger sense of urgency from the league as the clock ticks toward training camp.

Earlier this week, the WNBA and the WNBPA held their first in-person meeting in months, bringing together around 40 players and several team owners and executives. Williams joined the meeting via Zoom from Europe, where she is currently playing for Galatasaray during the WNBA offseason. The veteran center, a former fourth overall draft pick, said she was surprised the league didn’t open the meeting with a new proposal, especially considering how many players traveled to attend.

Still, Williams believes the face-to-face conversation helped shift the tone. She said hearing directly from players allowed ownership to better understand why the issues at stake matter so deeply. In her view, the meeting helped create the level of urgency needed to move negotiations forward.

The WNBPA opted out of the previous collective bargaining agreement at the end of the 2024 season. After two deadline extensions, the league and union entered a “status quo” period on Jan. 9, meaning the current terms remain in place but either side can call a work stoppage at any time. The union has already authorized a strike if negotiations break down.

Despite that uncertainty, the WNBA released its 2026 schedule in late January. Williams described that move as bold and frustrating, especially since teams still don’t have finalized rosters. She said it felt like the league was acting as if everything was normal, even though free agency and other major offseason events remain on hold.

At the heart of the dispute is the league’s revenue-sharing structure. According to reports, the league has proposed giving players about 70% of net revenue — money left after operating expenses are deducted. The union countered with a plan seeking about 30% of gross revenue, meaning total revenue before expenses are removed. Williams argued that the public often misunderstands what the players are asking for, and that their demands are not irresponsible.

She pointed to the league’s growing expansion, rising team valuations, and investment interest as signs that the WNBA is thriving. In her view, those financial gains should be reflected in player salaries. Williams also pushed back against the narrative that improving player pay would slow the league’s growth, saying there are plenty of opportunities for teams and the league to increase revenue while still compensating players fairly.

Williams described this negotiation period as a pivotal moment not only for the WNBA, but for women’s sports more broadly. She said visibility has increased dramatically in recent years, and with fans able to see how much money is flowing into the sport, players want a deal that reflects that reality.

While Williams remains “cautiously optimistic” that an agreement can be reached soon, she stressed that the union is prepared to strike if needed. Ultimately, she said players want to compete, but they also want to ensure this agreement benefits both current athletes and future generations.