Sheryl Swoopes Feels Only Superstars Like Angel Reese Can ‘Survive’ As WNBA Players Threaten Lockout During CBA Negotiations

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The WNBA is heading into a critical moment that could shape the league’s future for years to come. Legend Sheryl Swoopes recently weighed in on the ‘lockout’ situation. Let’s just say, she didn’t sugarcoat anything.

During a discussion on a podcast, Swoopes made it clear that only a select few players, like Angel Reese, would be able to financially “survive” if the players decided to walk away from the court in protest.

Swoopes Thinks ‘Angel Reese Can Survive’ This

With the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) set to expire after the 2025 season, the players’ union and the league office are knee-deep in negotiations for a new deal. But things are getting tense—real tense.

The ongoing CBA negotiations aren’t just about money—they’re about respect, long-term security, and fair treatment. The players’ union has made it clear that they want a completely new economic model that eliminates the restrictive salary caps and revenue-sharing limitations currently in place.

Swoopes shared her thoughts on Gil’s Arena podcast, “There’s probably only a handful of players in the WNBA that could still survive.”

 

She continued: “Angel Reese can survive because she has a gazillion things going on, but the majority of the players in the WNBA aren’t making that kind of money outside of the W.”

Angel Reese Might Sit This One Out?

During an appearance on the ‘Unapologetically Angel’ podcast, she and Reese made their stance clear: if the league doesn’t give them what they want, they might refuse to play.

“I got to get in the meetings because I’m hearing like, if y’all don’t give us what we want, we sitting out,” Reese said.

 

The possibility of a lockout isn’t just a hypothetical anymore—it’s a very real threat. And with the WNBA gaining more attention than ever, this fight isn’t going unnoticed. Players want higher salaries, better retirement benefits, and improved childcare and family planning support. They’re pushing for a future where WNBA athletes aren’t forced to play overseas during the offseason just to make ends meet.

Right now, Reese’s base salary for the 2026 season is projected to be around $82,399—a figure that’s shockingly lower than what the incoming rookie class might be making under the new CBA.

That’s why the players are ready to go all-in to secure a deal that ensures financial stability for everyone in the league, not just the biggest names with sponsorship deals.

If the league doesn’t budge, the WNBA could be facing one of its biggest challenges yet. The players have made their stance crystal clear: they’re not backing down.

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