It is no secret that over the past few years, the WNBA has experienced a surge in popularity that few could have predicted a decade ago. With the generational rise of younger stars, mainly Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, as well as the steady presence of established superstars such as A'Ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart and others, the league has blossomed. And with it more money than before.
It has slowly been brewing for a couple of seasons now, and it became most evident around the WNBA All-Star Game when several stars wore shirts reading "Pay Us What You Owe Us," signaling their frustration with the ongoing negotiations. On top of that, tensions also surfaced between some players and WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, with both sides believing they have the upper hand in these never-ending discussions and meetings.
Rising television ratings, record attendance and the arrival of high-profile stars have helped the league reach new audiences and generate greater revenue. And now, everyone wants a bigger piece of the cake. Well, the NBA legend and all too familiar voice in everyday happenings in the world of basketball, Charles Barkley , cautioned the players to be careful while trying to secure the best deal possible.
"I wanna say this to these WNBA players: You could see the train wreck coming. You could see this damn train wreck coming, I didn't say anything publicly, cause when y'all start badmouthing the Commissioner, you have to remember one thing. The Commissioner works for the owners… I like Cathy, but she is speaking for the owners," Barkley said in his recent appearance on the "Steam Room" with Ernie Johnson.
"I'm like, well, 'Y'all better be careful!' 'Cause you know who has power? People who got the damn money!" Chuck pointed out.
Barkley was there when the NBA itself went through a period of player empowerment, with Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and, of course, the man many consider the GOAT, Michael Jordan, leading the charge and pushing the league into a new era. Because of that, the Hall of Famer understands just how complicated negotiations between players and owners can become.
And, no matter how harsh it might seem, sometimes, he believes, having a solid deal in place is better than chasing one that might simply be impossible to reach.
And while Barkley wants nothing but the best for the WNBA players, he also believes they have to be extremely careful about how far they push their demands. So far, no deal has been made, as WNBA and WNBPA officials recently left talks without finalizing a new collective bargaining agreement for the league.
The negotiations have been ongoing for more than a year and a half, but still to no avail. Several propositions have been put on the table from both sides, yet the final resolution still feels far away, and there are growing concerns that the start of the new season could even be delayed if an agreement isn't reached soon.
"Ladies, I want y'all to get paid, and I wish y'all the best. But y'all gotta be very careful," he concluded.
Even if it could mean a shortened season, it is equally critical that a decision is reached that both sides can live with in the long run. But as history has shown time and time again, finding that middle ground between players and owners is often much easier said than done.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Mar 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
