The excitement around WNBA expansion has been one of the hottest topics in basketball this year, with new franchises like the Golden State Fire and Toronto Tempo being hailed as major steps forward for the league.

Yet, what was meant to be a groundbreaking development is now spiraling into turmoil, as insiders warn that without a completed Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), these new teams could face disaster before they even step onto the court.

At the core of the problem lies the WNBA’s unfinished negotiations with the players’ union. The league is in the midst of a critical bargaining window, with salaries, benefits, and revenue-sharing still unresolved.

Adding expansion teams in such a fragile climate has amplified tensions, with analysts pointing out that the Fire and Tempo may inherit instability rather than opportunity. While fans in Oakland and Toronto are buzzing about the chance to build new legacies, executives admit that the timing could not be worse.

The Fire, backed by the Golden State Warriors’ ownership group, were expected to become an instant powerhouse, capitalizing on a basketball-rich market and the star power of the Bay Area.

Meanwhile, the Tempo were celebrated as the WNBA’s first international team, bringing women’s pro basketball to Toronto and expanding the league’s global footprint. Both teams were projected to inject fresh energy into the sport, increase TV rights value, and attract corporate sponsors. But instead, the lack of a stable CBA is leaving them with uncertainty around roster construction, payroll budgets, and even scheduling.

Without a clear financial framework, the expansion draft process has become a looming question mark. Owners and GMs don’t know what salary caps will look like, what rookie contracts will pay, or how much flexibility they’ll have to lure free agents.
Players, on the other hand, are hesitant to commit to franchises without guarantees on pay increases, healthcare, and travel accommodations. The WNBPA has been pressing hard for charter flights, higher minimum salaries, and better revenue-sharing models, all of which remain in limbo. For the Fire and Tempo, this means building a roster could become a logistical nightmare.

Fans on social media have begun voicing concerns. While many were thrilled about expansion, hashtags like #FireInTrouble and #TempoTurbulence have started trending, reflecting the anxiety of supporters who fear these new franchises will be set up to fail.

Some point out that adding teams before resolving basic league issues feels like “putting a fresh coat of paint on a crumbling house.” Others argue that expansion should have been delayed until a stronger foundation was in place.

Critics of the league office have been even harsher. They say Commissioner Cathy Engelbert rushed expansion announcements to capitalize on the rising popularity of Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and other young stars without addressing the league’s long-term sustainability.

By pushing ahead without a completed CBA, the league risks alienating both players and fans. If the expansion teams launch amid labor disputes or a potential work stoppage, the damage to credibility could be immense.

For the players, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The WNBPA has already signaled its readiness to fight for a better deal, and expansion complicates that fight.

New franchises typically come with opportunities for fresh contracts and career growth, but if the foundational CBA issues aren’t resolved, players could be locked into subpar conditions. Many stars have been vocal about not wanting expansion to distract from more pressing league-wide battles for fairness and respect.

Economically, the Fire and Tempo were supposed to be cash cows. The Bay Area’s tech-driven wealth promised deep-pocketed sponsors, while Toronto was expected to tap into Canada’s rabid basketball fanbase following the Raptors’ 2019 NBA title.

But financial experts now warn that without labor stability, sponsors may hesitate to commit long-term, and fan enthusiasm could fizzle if games are marred by disputes or lack star power. Expansion is only profitable if the product on the floor is stable, and right now, the WNBA can’t guarantee that.

Some analysts believe expansion could even worsen the lockout risk. By adding more players and teams into the mix before resolving core economic disputes, the league is increasing the number of voices demanding change. More players mean more pressure on ownership, and if the league fails to compromise, a work stoppage could become unavoidable. That scenario would not only damage the Fire and Tempo but could also undo much of the momentum women’s basketball has gained over the past two years.

Despite the concerns, there’s still optimism in some corners. Expansion is undeniably a sign of growth, and the Fire and Tempo could thrive if the league and union hammer out a deal quickly.

Advocates argue that the added attention of expansion will put more pressure on ownership to finalize a favorable CBA, creating urgency that may not have existed otherwise. If Engelbert and the WNBPA can reach a breakthrough, the Fire and Tempo could instead become symbols of a new era of stability and growth.

Still, the clock is ticking. With player negotiations heating up and expansion timetables moving forward, the WNBA faces one of its most precarious moments in history.

Fans want to believe in the Fire and Tempo, but until a CBA deal is finalized, the optimism remains fragile. What should have been a celebration of progress is instead teetering on the edge of disaster, and unless both sides act quickly, the league’s boldest gamble may backfire in spectacular fashion.