Asthe WNBA and its players' union continue to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement,the2026 WNBA seasonhangs in the balance.
WNBPA vice president Napheesa Collieris confident the season will happen, but it won't come without compromise.
"Well, someone's gonna have to fold, aren't they?" Collier told USA TODAY Sports regarding the ongoing CBA talks while promoting a partnership with Unrivaled and Icy Hot.
A five-time WNBA All-Star with the Minnesota Lynx, Collier says the union continues to meet with the hope of getting a deal done. But, she reiterated the players' plan to stand firm amidst the revenue sharing road block and housing concessions by the WNBA.
On Tuesday, the players' union submitted a counterproposal in response to the WNBA'sFeb. 7 submission. In the proposal, the WNBPA requested 25% of gross revenue in the first year, increasing over the life of the agreement to an average of roughly 27.5%. The union also proposed a salary cap of less than $9.5 million.
The latest requested revenue share percentage is less than theproposal in December, where players asked for 30% of gross revenue. The WNBA is currently offering more than 70% of league and team net revenue. The league is also proposing a salary cap of $5.65 million per year, rising with league revenues.
In Tuesday's counterproposal, the WNBPA advocated for housing to continue in the early years of a player's career. The union proposed housing could be shed in later years of a contract and would be adjusted and phased out for players who make a certain amount of money on a multi-year, fully guaranteed contract.
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) celebrates with teammates after the Aces defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 89-86, at Michelob Ultra Arena." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces battles for the ball with Alyssa Thomas #25 and Kahleah Copper #2 of the Phoenix Mercury." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Chelsea Gray (12) and A'ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces grab a rebound past DeWanna Bonner (14) and Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) looks to tip a loose ball away from Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33)." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith (3) shoots against Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4)." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: A'ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates after making a basket against the Phoenix Mercury." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Megan Gustafson (17) of the Las Vegas Aces." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury looks to shoot the ball against NaLyssa Smith (3) of the Las Vegas Aces." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: NaLyssa Smith (3) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts during the third quarter." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Chelsea Gray (12) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts against the Phoenix Mercury during the fourth quarter." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury drives to the basket against Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) dribbles against Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2)." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) drives against Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2)." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Kahleah Copper (2) of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates after her 3-point basket." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Head coach Nate Tibbetts of the Phoenix Mercury looks on during the first quarter." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Maddy Westbeld of the Chicago Sky (left) and Rae Burrell of the Los Angeles Sparks look on." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts in front of Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon looks on." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Dana Evans of the Las Vegas Aces, shoots the ball between Monique Akoa Makani and Natasha Mack of the Phoenix Mercury." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces drives to the basket against Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury grabs a rebound against the Las Vegas Aces." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Chelsea Gray of the Las Vegas Aces shoots the ball against Monique Akoa Makani of the Phoenix Mercury." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces grabs a rebound against Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
The WNBA issued a statement, saying: "The Players Association's latest proposal remains unrealistic and would cause hundreds of millions of dollars of losses for our teams. We still need to complete two Drafts and free agency before the start of training camp and are running out of time. We believe the WNBA's proposal would result in a huge win for current players and generations to come."
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According to a person with knowledge of the situation, the players' union's proposal would allegedly result in projected losses of $460 million over the lifetime of the agreement for WNBA teams. The person went on to share that the deal has to benefit both the players and teams to ensure continued investment and growth in the league.
Collier shared with USA TODAY that she did not have a specific response to the WNBA's statement, but did reveal some thoughts.
"We don't think, obviously, what we're asking for is unfair, otherwise we wouldn't be asking for it," Collier said. "But we understand it's a negotiation, and I think we are trending in the right direction. But, we have to be able to stand strong in what we believe in and make sure that we are getting a fair cut in this pie that we are building together as a league and as players."
A person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports there is asense of urgency from the players' union. According to the person, as Collier mentioned, the desire to play in 2026 remains, along with securing a transformational deal where the WNBPA "doesn't negotiate against themselves."
The regular seasonis scheduled to start May 8. However, before that can happen, the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire will have expansion drafts. Free agency and the2026 WNBA draftalso need to take place. Collier is aware that the closer the clock moves to May 8, the more anxious people may become. Still, she has hope things will work themselves out.
"I hope people just remember that we want to be out there, too. I think it gets [lost] with lots of different narratives out there that we're being unreasonable, whatever it is ― this is our livelihood. This is our job, our passions, what we love to do most in the world. We want to be out there. It's just such a pivotal time in women's sports, and we've been growing, growing, growing for so long," Collier said.
"Again, we just have to stand strong in what we believe in and what we think is fair. So I just hope they hold out and believe in us, continue to support us ― which they have been; they've been great ― and just know that we are gonna play again. It's gonna happen. This thing is gonna happen. Just be patient with us. Keep supporting us, and we're gonna get there."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Napheesa Collier on WNBA CBA talks: 'Someone's gonna have to fold'
