Imagine facing a future where your career hangs in the balance, where even planning for next season feels impossible. That's the reality for WNBA players like Natasha Cloud right now, as tense negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) continue. But amidst this uncertainty, Cloud has found a haven – a place to focus on the game she loves and maintain a sense of normalcy: Unrivaled.
Cloud, a prominent player currently enjoying the Miami climate, is back for her second WNBA offseason playing in Unrivaled, a league designed to provide professional opportunities and a structured environment for players during the off-season. Leaving behind the harsh New York winters, she's able to focus on basketball without the distractions and uncertainties surrounding the WNBA's future. "It’s been great," Cloud shared, emphasizing the positive team chemistry and energy within the locker room.
Following a minor arthroscopic procedure on her left knee – what she described as a "little…cleanup" to address nagging pain from years of intense play and training – Cloud spent time rehabbing in New York, even enjoying some tourist activities with her partner and Liberty teammate, Isabelle Harrison. Cleared by trainers last month to participate in Unrivaled, she's carefully managing her body while adapting to the league's fast-paced, dynamic style. "It’s just been building up my muscles,” she explained, highlighting the physical benefits of the competition.
But here's where it gets controversial... Cloud's participation in Unrivaled isn't just about physical conditioning; it's a crucial escape from the stress and ambiguity surrounding the WNBA's future. With the current CBA set to expire, and over 100 players, including Cloud herself, potentially entering free agency, the entire league landscape could drastically change. "I just want the CBA negotiated so we can even get there," Cloud stated, voicing the frustration felt by many players. "That’s the annoying part is people ask us, like, ‘Oh, what are your plans?’ And it’s like, ‘We can’t even plan.’"
The negotiations are at a critical juncture. The most recent deadline passed without a deal, and the WNBA is currently operating under a "status quo" arrangement while both sides continue to negotiate. A free agency moratorium is likely, and the possibility of a player strike remains a very real threat. And this is the part most people miss... the players aren't just asking for more money; they're fighting for a fair share of the league's growing revenue.
One of the major sticking points is the revenue split. The players are advocating for 30% of the gross revenue, while the league has proposed 70% of the net revenue. The difference is significant, as net revenue is calculated after deducting various expenses, potentially leaving the players with a smaller share. "We’re not asking for too much," Cloud asserted, "We are asking for our value, our worth and just for equity in something that continues to grow, that we grow… I just wish that to be valued." She even suggested that direct negotiations with team owners might be more productive, bypassing the league structure altogether. "We have the leverage. We have the support of our fans, we have support of ownership a lot of our ownership and that’s why sometimes I just wish we could sit down and meet with our owners and bypass the league because we would get more work done."
In the meantime, Unrivaled provides a vital sense of stability for Cloud and over 50 other WNBA players. It offers year-round housing, facilities, and resources, creating an environment where they can focus on their training and development. "We have a place here that will keep us, will house us year-round, we have facilities year round, we have, in a lot of ways, more resources," Cloud explained. "If anything, I think Unrivaled puts good pressure on the W to make a decision because if not, we have other leagues that are willing to invest in us and pay us damn near what you are paying us."
Ultimately, Cloud's experience highlights the precarious position of WNBA players as they navigate a period of significant change. While Unrivaled offers a temporary refuge, the future of the league hinges on the outcome of the CBA negotiations. Do you think the players are justified in their demands for a larger share of the revenue? Should they be focusing on gross revenue vs. net revenue? And what impact could a potential player strike have on the future of the WNBA? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
