Caitlin Clark–Angel Reese Rivalry at Risk as Strike Looms Despite WNBA’s $1.3M Salary Offers

After injuries dampened the chances of watching five editions of the Caitlin Clark — Angel Reese rivalry last season, women’s basketball fans are eagerly waiting for the 2026 campaign.

The two managed to give one moment of madness for fans to talk about for weeks after the Indiana Fever star managed to clash with her rival during the 2025 season-opener.

Since then, fans eagerly waited for the point guard to get healthy, but there was no respite. When one comes to think of it, even if she did recover and play in the last few games, Angel Reese‘s suspension and then back injury would have stopped their rivalry from renewing.

Since neither is playing in the 2nd season of Unrivaled, fans will now have to wait until the 2026 season starts. However, reports came out that the possibility could be put on hold.

ESPN’s Alexa Philippou reported that the WNBPA organized a vote wherein the players authorized the union’s executive committee to call a work strike whenever they feel it is necessary.

From a record 93% participation, an astounding 98% of the players voted in favor of a strike. Even though they have not revealed who the participating players are, those numbers indicate that almost the entire league has unanimously agreed to stop work if needed.

Per the union, 98% of the players voted yes, 93% participated in the vote https://t.co/eSmJXk2FUQ

— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) December 18, 2025

This also means that now the ball is in the union’s court, as they have grown increasingly frustrated with the league’s reluctance to provide its players what they deserve.

Even though the current CBA negotiations can run until January 9th, chances are the players, including Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, will wait until the league listens to their demands.

WNBA responds with a statement

This call to strike was what most WNBA fans and analysts feared. The last thing the growth momentum started by Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and the golden generation of college prospects requires is a lockout.

The NBA has faced lockouts before, and the result has generally helped players. However, in the WNBA’s instance, it is fighting to keep the finances in check.

After news of the players’ union executive committee sitting with one finger on the strike button sent shockwaves throughout the sports world, the league issued a statement.

They particularly took offense to how the union’s statement labeled the league’s representatives as trying to ‘divide, conquer, and undervalue’ players. The league claims that its significant salary increase and revenue-sharing proposals counter those claims.

WNBA Statement On WNBPA’s Strike Authorization Vote pic.twitter.com/YC24wljdo1

— WNBA Communications (@WNBAComms) December 18, 2025

Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and her team are proposing max contracts that start at $1.3 million and average salaries above $530,000. They believe this is fair considering how much more they are than the current salaries.

The WNBPA executive committee, featuring president Nneka Ogwumike, vice presidents Kelsey Plum, Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart, Alysha Clark, secretary Elizabeth Williams, and treasurer Brianna Turner, will wait to see how the negotiations unfold before calling a strike.

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese want better deals for their peers

In the midst of this all are Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Even though they came into the league just a couple of years ago, they have proven that women athletes can do a lot more than just earn whatever the WNBA gives them.

Recently, the two, along with rookie Paige Bueckers and Sabrina Ionescu, were revealed to have earned upwards of $9 million, primarily from endorsement deals.

Clark and Reese have, as recently as the Team USA camp, reiterated the need for the league to give the players what they deserve. As it will not just help the current crop, but also the plethora of talent coming in the future.

With the threat of a strike looming, it seems the two young superstars will have to wait and see how the league responds to their pleas. They want everyone associated with the WNBA to earn well.

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