Sophie Cunningham hints at potential WNBA lockout, promises players will not play 'until they give us what we deserve'

The WNBA is facing its first serious test this offseason ahead of what’s quickly becoming a rather contentious negotiation over a new collective bargaining agreement with the WNBA Players’ Association. And, in light of Napheesa Collier‘s scathing takedown of WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert on Wednesday, WNBA players have become galvanized in their desire for equitable pay.

Of course, like other professional leagues, if both sides can’t come to an agreement on terms, the 2026 WNBA season could be in serious doubt as players entertain the potential for a league-wide lockout. And one of the sport’s most popular stars, Indiana Fever wing Sophie Cunningham, believes that could be an inevitability, unfortunately.

“We have a big call this afternoon, and I think that’s going to give all of us players a much-needed update,” Cunnigham said Thursday during her end-of-season exit interview with the media. “I’ve just been locked in on getting healthy, to be honest, and making sure our team is where they need to be. So I’ve kind of pushed (the CBA negotiations) off to the side – I think a lot of us have kind of at this point of the season. But now that the season is done, it’s time to lock in on that.

“I do know that the league came back and really gave us nothing. So there’s a potential (for a) lockout, because I promise you that we’re not going to play until they give us what we deserve, and that’s kind of where this is headed, unfortunately. Which would be the dumbest basketball decision business-wise ever, considering the momentum the W has right now.”

Cunningham missed the Fever’s playoff run after suffering a season-ending MCL tear late in the regular season, but said she’s “feeling really good” in her rehab. While it’s unclear where Cunningham, a pending free agent, will be playing next season, she’s embracing her new role as a vocal leader for WNBA players.

Sophie Cunningham doubles down on Napheesa Collier call out of WNBA, Cathy Engelbert: ‘They don’t know shit about basketball’

Collier’s statement about the WNBA and Engelbert set off a chain reaction around the league, bringing multiple players out of the woodwork to give their criticisms of the WNBA leadership. Cunningham became the latest to tear down the WNBA’s leaders during Thursday’s exit interview.

Cunningham, who was just one of several Fever players to suffer injuries this season, tore down officiating and accused those in positions of power in the WNBA of “not knowing shit about basketball.”

“I’m gonna be good today. I am because I’m just tired of our league,” Cunningham said. “They need to step up and be better. Our leadership from top to bottom needs to be held accountable. I think that there are a lot of people in position of power in the WNBA who might be really good business people. But they don’t know shit about basketball. That’s gotta change.

“I said I was gonna be good and I just messed up, but I think everyone’s frustrated. When NBA players, from that side of things, are reaching out to us in awe of how terrible it is, that’s saying something. That’s absolutely saying something when our counterparts are feeling bad for us because of how we’re getting treated. I mean come on. From leadership, it’s just bad.”

— On3’s Daniel Hager contributed to this report.