As the WNBA’s current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) inches closer to its expiration, the word “lockout” is suddenly on everyone’s lips — and it’s sparking panic across the league.

What was once seen as a distant possibility is now looking like a real threat, especially as tensions rise between players and Commissioner Cathy Engelbert over pay, travel, and league control. But while the headlines focus on the league’s big names and bold statements, the reality is that a lockout could be an absolute disaster for a large portion of WNBA players — especially those living paycheck to paycheck, fighting for roster spots, or relying on overseas income to survive.

Let’s be clear — a lockout isn’t just a dramatic headline. It would mean that players can’t play, can’t get paid, and can’t use team facilities until a new agreement is reached. In simple terms: the league stops, and so does every player’s income tied to the WNBA.

That’s catastrophic for a group of athletes who, unlike their NBA counterparts, often depend on their short WNBA seasons to supplement modest salaries. The average WNBA salary in 2025 still hovers around $120,000, far below the millions earned in men’s basketball — and far from enough to comfortably weather a long-term labor stoppage.

For the superstars — think Caitlin Clark, Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, and Sabrina Ionescu — a lockout wouldn’t hit nearly as hard. They have endorsement deals, signature shoes, and massive fanbases to keep them financially afloat. But for players on rookie contracts, veterans on minimum deals, or bench players trying to stick in the league, it could be devastating. “If the league shuts down, I’m not sure how I’ll pay rent,” one anonymous player reportedly said. “People forget that not everyone in this league is rich.”

That’s what makes the looming labor tension so dangerous. While union leaders and star players talk about taking a stand for fair treatment and equal opportunity, there’s a real divide forming within the players’ ranks. Some want to fight until the league gives in; others are terrified of losing their only steady income. “A lockout sounds powerful,” said a former WNBA player now working as an analyst. “But if you’re not making shoe money or overseas money, it’s a nightmare.”

The overseas option — long the financial lifeline for many WNBA players — isn’t as secure as it used to be. Political instability in Russia and ongoing international tensions have made it riskier for American athletes to play abroad. In past years, stars like Brittney Griner and Emma Meesseman earned huge paychecks in Russia and Turkey during the WNBA offseason.

Now, many leagues have tightened import restrictions, cut salaries, or reduced foreign player slots. That means if a WNBA lockout happens, there may not even be enough international jobs to go around.

This is why many analysts believe a lockout could widen the gap between the haves and the have-nots in the WNBA. The stars will remain relevant, their brands growing through social media and endorsements, while fringe players risk being forgotten entirely.

And with more high-profile names entering the league every draft — led by college stars with built-in fanbases — it could become even harder for lesser-known veterans to return once the dust settles. “A lockout could erase entire careers,” one agent warned. “Some players won’t get a second chance.”

Another major concern is the impact on momentum. The WNBA is finally riding a wave of mainstream attention, thanks largely to Caitlin Clark’s arrival and the cultural explosion surrounding her rookie season. TV ratings, ticket sales, and social media engagement have skyrocketed, bringing in new sponsors and fans who had never watched before.

A lockout would stall that growth instantly. “We’re in the middle of a once-in-a-generation surge,” said one marketing executive. “If the league goes dark now, it could lose half of the new fans it just gained.”

That’s why even players who sympathize with the union’s frustrations are torn. The issues at stake — charter flights, revenue sharing, better scheduling, maternity benefits, and higher salaries — are important. But the timing could not be worse. The WNBA is finally on the verge of breaking through to the mainstream, and a lockout risks undoing years of progress. “The players deserve better, but the league needs stability right now,” said ESPN’s Monica McNutt. “If this turns into a work stoppage, everyone loses.”

For many inside the league, the blame game is already heating up. Players have quietly expressed frustration with Engelbert’s leadership, accusing her of moving too slowly to modernize the league’s infrastructure. Meanwhile, Engelbert and league executives argue they’re being cautious — that the league’s financial foundation still isn’t strong enough to support sweeping pay raises and full charter flights for all 12 teams.

The truth lies somewhere in between, but the trust gap between players and leadership has rarely been wider.

The situation mirrors what happened in other leagues before their own turning points. The NBA’s 1998 lockout, for example, nearly derailed the league’s momentum during the Michael Jordan era. It took years for fans to fully re-engage. The WNBA, with its smaller financial cushion and still-growing audience, might not recover so easily. “The NBA could afford to lose time — the WNBA can’t,” one insider said bluntly. “This is their critical window.”

Then there’s the emotional toll. Many players are already feeling the pressure, knowing their careers have short windows of peak performance. A lost season could rob veterans of their final opportunity to compete for a title or cost young players a year of development.

It could also strain locker-room relationships, as players disagree over how far to push the league. “You’ll see real tension,” predicted one WNBA coach. “Stars will say, ‘We can wait it out.’ But for the rest, it’s survival.”

Fans are just as worried. Many fear that a lockout would not only halt the WNBA’s upward trajectory but also risk alienating casual viewers who are finally tuning in. After all, the league’s biggest draw right now is momentum — the excitement around new rivalries, personalities, and visibility. If the league goes silent for months, fans might turn away, and networks might hesitate to invest again. “It’s not just a labor issue,” one fan tweeted. “It’s the future of the sport.”

Still, not everyone is pessimistic. Some believe that the threat of a lockout might actually be the leverage the players need to finally force meaningful reform. “Sometimes things have to break before they get fixed,” said one sports economist. “If the players hold firm, they could walk away with a deal that transforms the league for the next generation.” But that’s a massive gamble — one that could cost some players their livelihoods in the short term.

In the end, this looming lockout debate highlights the uncomfortable truth about the WNBA: even as it grows in visibility and star power, its foundation remains fragile. A few bad months could undo years of progress. For players like Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, and Breanna Stewart, a lockout might be inconvenient. But for the league’s rank-and-file — the players fighting for a dream on the margins — it could be catastrophic.

As one anonymous player summed it up perfectly: “We’re fighting for our future, but we’re also fighting to survive the present. And that’s what makes this so hard.”