WNBA Stars Use Unrivaled League as Bargaining Chip in CBA Talks

The WNBA is currently navigating critical collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations amid growing calls for better player compensation and conditions. Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 league co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, has emerged as a significant factor in these talks by offering players substantially higher pay and a domestic alternative to overseas play, which often conflicts with WNBA schedules. Seattle Storm forward Gabby Williams applauds Unrivaled for enabling players to report to WNBA training camp on time, circumventing the league's prioritization rule that penalizes those missing camp due to international commitments, while also emphasizing the need for the WNBA to increase player salaries so athletes can commit to a single league. Meanwhile, WNBA All-Stars, including Candace Parker, have expressed frustration over the league's current pay structure, using high-profile moments such as the All-Star Game to demand fair compensation, although some criticized the effort to capitalize on the platform. The WNBA players are also drawing inspiration and strategic advice from the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), whose recent CBA overhaul set a new standard for women's sports, signaling a broader movement toward equitable pay and improved labor conditions in women's professional athletics.