As negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) intensify, WNBA star Angel Reese has issued a strong warning about a potential player strike if the league fails to meet the demands of its players.

The Chicago Sky forward spoke about the issue on her podcast, Unapologetically Angel, emphasizing that discussions within the players’ union suggest that athletes may refuse to play unless their concerns are addressed.

“I need to be in those meetings because I’m hearing that if we don’t get what we’re asking for, we’re sitting out,” Reese stated.

Her guest, Dallas Wings player Dijonai Carrington, echoed the sentiment, acknowledging that a strike is a real possibility.

This tension comes after the WNBA Players’ Association chose to opt out of the existing CBA in October 2024, increasing the likelihood of a labor dispute.

The WNBA has recently experienced significant growth in popularity, partly due to rising stars like Reese and Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark. The 2024 season saw a record-breaking 2.35 million fans attending games—the highest in over two decades—while television viewership soared to its highest levels in 24 years.

The league’s financial success was further bolstered by an 11-year, $2.2 billion media rights deal signed with Disney, Amazon Prime Video, and NBC Universal in July. However, players argue they are not receiving a fair share of the revenue.

Los Angeles Sparks star Kelsey Plum has been vocal about the need for a revenue-sharing model similar to the NBA’s, where players and owners split profits 50-50. Other key issues in the negotiations include salary increases, pensions, and benefits related to childcare and family planning.

With the 2025 WNBA season set to begin on May 16, players will compete under the existing CBA for now. However, time is running out for the league and the players’ association to reach an agreement and avoid a potential work stoppage.