NBA legend Charles Barkley dished out some advice to WNBA players during this week’s episode of “The Steam Room.”
The WNBA and the WNBA Players Association have not yet agreed on a collective bargaining agreement for the 2026 season. While Barkley would love to see the players get what they’re asking for in negotiations, he ultimately believes the league and its owners are in complete control.
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“The notion that workers are ever going to overpower billionaires and multimillionaires, that’s never going to happen in any capacity,” Barkley said, via Awful Announcing.
Barkley then warned the WNBA’s players to avoid a lockout at all costs.
“Ladies, I want you all to get paid and I wish you the very best. But y’all gotta be very careful. Y’all get in that room and say, ‘Hey let’s make the best deal.’ You don’t want a strike, you don’t want a lockout. I’ve been watching for months, all these people on TV … you can get paid what you can get. You might not get paid what you’re worth. But you can get paid what you can get.”
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Jun 12, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; NBA TV analyst Charles Barkley talks on set before game three of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports© Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(© Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)
What’s the latest on the WNBA’s CBA?
It was previously reported that a CBA would need to be agreed on by March 10 in order for the WNBA to start the 2026 season on time.
According to Front Office Sports, both the WNBA and the WNBPA swapped proposals over the weekend. Apparently, the league’s offer doesn’t have players feeling optimistic about a deal.
The previous offer from the WNBA would give teams a $5.75 million salary cap but less than 15% of gross revenue. The players were initially seeking 40% of gross revenue.
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Technically, the WNBA’s season is scheduled to tip off May 8. As of this moment though, we’re not even sure if there’ll be a season.
This story was originally published by The Spun on Mar 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
