Candace Parker reveals why players should ‘stand on business’ as million dollar CBA standoff continues

Jan 30, 2026 - 17:45

The 2026 WNBA season is still up in the air.

Although the 44-game season is due to commence in fewer than 100 days on May 8, the WNBA and the players’ union have yet to come to an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever stands on the sideline in a shirt that reads 'Pay us what you owe us' — Caitlin Clark and the rest of the WNBA are looking to have a CBA which aligns with the growth of the league

With the original deadline of October 31 extended an additional 30 days, and then extended once again, the WNBPA has still yet to succeed in their campaign for a pay structure that “financially recognizes players’ contributions” to the league.

All the players want is a greater share of the WNBA’s revenue, and former WNBA superstar turned NBA on Prime analyst Candace Parker recognizes the importance of not wavering in these negotiations.

“I think it’s super important for the WNBA to kind of set the bar. A lot of things the WNBA has been first,” Parker exclusively told talkSPORT at the contest between NBA sides Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies in London, England.

“It’s the longest standing sports league in the US and it’s that way for a reason because we’ve always stood on principles, we’ve always stood on business.

“I think that’s what’s going to kind of lead the way for women globally.”

Since the arrival of stars such as that of Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky‘s Angel Reese into the league, the WNBA has seen a huge surge in popularity.

This vast increase in interest of women’s basketball has led to the introduction of expansion teams, including that of the Golden State Valkyries, who reached the playoffs in their inaugural season.

The Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire will follow suit in the 2026 campaign, as the WNBA also announced that there will be three additional franchises from Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia by 2030, bringing the league to 18 teams.

As of Friday, the WNBPA are still awaiting a response on their revised proposal submitted nearly a month ago, with talks having been far from ‘constructive’, per WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike.

“It’s not a constructive way to continue on these negotiations, especially considering the timeline that we’re in,” Ogwumike told Front Office Sports in an interview from the LPGA Women’s Leadership Summit in Orlando.

Candace Parker attends the unveiling of Prime Video's new NBA On Prime Studio at The Culver Studios on October 14, 2025 in Culver City, California. — Parker joined the NBA on Prime team following her retirement from the WNBA

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese at a WNBA game. — The popularity of the WNBA has only grown since the arrival of Caitlin Clark (L) and Angel Reese (R)

“To give the excuse that our proposal was not adequate is concerning.”

“I don’t think we’re being pressured because of the timeline at the expense of what we’re really trying to negotiate.

“I don’t mean that we’re being disrespectful of the time. We know something like this takes time.

“If we can do this the right way, it will get done in a way that will be something we can be proud of and have a season.”

In their proposal, the players’ union is seeking a salary cap of $10.5 million and a 30 percent share of the league’s gross revenue.

With an agreement yet to be reached, there is growing uncertainty over when free agency will begin, and whether the 2026 season could be delayed and/or shortened should they enter a lockout.

Kelsey Plum #10 of the Los Angeles Sparks plays against the Connecticut Sun during a WNBA basketball game at Mohegan Sun Arena on July 24, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut. — Sparks guard Plum has revealed a meeting with the WNBA is set to take place in NYC on Monday

Former Chicago Sky player Candace Parker speaks to the crowd during her jersey retirement ceremony at halftime between the Chicago Sky and the Las Vegas Aces at Wintrust Arena on August 25, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. — Parker is of the belief that the WNBPA are standing firm on CBA negotiations to set the standard

According to Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum, though, via ESPN’s Alexa Philippou on Friday, a meeting is now expected to take place in New York City between the players and the WNBA.

Napheesa Collier – who was very outspoken with her comments regarding WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert at the end of the 2025 campaign – is also slated to attend the meeting on Monday, as is Ogwumike and some team owners.

Philippou also wrote in a tweet posted to X (formerly Twitter): “Plum hopes being face to face with management will help convos move forward.”

Who holds the power in these negotiations?

Parker spent 16 years in the WNBA, winning championships with the Sparks, Sky and Las Vegas Aces, so knows more than a thing or two about who holds the power in these ongoing negotiations.

Under the current CBA in 2025, the league’s minimum salary was $66,079, the supermax was $249,244 and the salary cap was $1.5 million, increasing at a fixed rate of three percent each year.

Engelbert’s – who has come under much scrutiny from players around the league over the last year – latest CBA proposal saw these figures rise to upward of $225,000 for a minimum salary, an average of $500,000 and max players guaranteed a $1 million base.

Cathy Engelbert and Napheesa Collier take a picture after the 2025 WNBA All-Star game — Napheesa Collier unleashed a scathing attack on Cathy Engelbert’s leadership as WNBA Commissioner at the end of last season amid ongoing CBA negotiations

But Parker, and the general consensus from the majority of the players around the league, is that the sheer growth of the league far outweighs that.

“The power is always within the players but obviously we want there to be a season. I think it’s super important for both sides to work together,” the NBA on Prime expert told talkSPORT.

“I think the thing that is super important to me is about the value and everyone understanding the value of what the players bring.

“Currently the coaches are making more than the star players. So with that system. I don’t think that’s a sustainable system.”

Could the WNBA follow the NBA’s lead and go global?

With the news emerging that the NBA and FIBA are pushing forward with plans for a new European league, there are talks of the WNBA potentially following suit.

There is clearly a global market for women’s basketball.

Candace Parker #3 of the Las Vegas Aces reacts to a play during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena on May 25, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. — Parker played overseas during the WNBA off-season throughout her career

You only have to look at the success – both commercially and financially – of the likes of Unrivaled and Athletes Unlimited, as well as the introduction of ‘Project B’ in 2026, which has already signed some WNBA talent including Clark’s Fever ‘enforcer’ Sophie Cunningham.

“The growth of the league is phenomenal. I think the next step is obviously going global and international,” Parker said.

“I played overseas. The number of stars before this last five years made their living overseas.

“So we understand the importance of the international game. We also understand the importance of the fans.

Parker spent many WNBA off-seasons overseas earlier on in her career, where she became a five-time Russian National League Champion and won the 2013 EuroLeague title with UMMC Ekaterinburg.

“There are so many fans across the globe that want to be able to be a part and want to be able to see and be a part of the stories of the WNBA,” the 39-year-old added.

“I think it’s super important for us to continue to embrace that and why not play overseas?”

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