WNBA Players Association votes to authorize a strike

Santa, can’t you hear me?

WNBPA votes to authorize a strike “when necessary”

The WNBA Players Association has spoken, voting to authorize a strike “when necessary” as CBA talks stall well into the second extension period.

• 93% of eligible players participated in the vote with 98% in favor of giving union leadership the authority to call a work stoppage.

• “The players’ vote is neither a call for an immediate strike nor an intention to pursue one,” stated Thursday’s release. “Rather, it is an emphatic affirmation of the players’ confidence in their leadership and their unwavering solidarity against ongoing efforts to divide, conquer, and undervalue them.”

Bargaining chips: While not a direct indicator of intent, the vote does give the WNBPA another negotiating tool as players and league leadership remain divided.

• According to ESPN sources, the league’s newest proposal includes an uncapped revenue sharing model that would raise maximum WNBA salaries above $1.3 million — while the WNBPA fights for 30% of gross revenue.

At odds: The WNBA later released a response to the union’s statement, writing, “It is difficult to understand claims that the league is resistant to change, particularly given that we are proposing numerous CBA modifications including significant immediate salary increases and a new uncapped revenue-sharing model that would ensure continued salary growth tied to revenue growth.”

No. 1 UConn and No. 11 Iowa square off in Brooklyn

An NCAA showdown is coming to Barclay’s Center, as undefeated No. 1 UConn takes on No. 11 Iowa tomorrow afternoon in Brooklyn.

• The Huskies enter tomorrow’s game on a perfect 11-0 record — including four ranked non-conference wins — as they attempt a repeat title run.

• “With a team like UConn that is so fast, and they’re almost flawless in every aspect of the game, there’s no time to get too high, and certainly low,” said Iowa head coach Jan Jensen ahead of Saturday clash.

Big picture: Rather than relying on one or two stars, depth is now UConn’s superpower, as they keep players rested and give opponents little time to react.

• “There's a benefit to it, because we can play a certain way, but it’s a challenge getting all the players the minutes that they want and that they need,” longtime Huskies coach Geno Auriema said of his stacked roster. “Hopefully, we can manage that balance.”

• “I think this team has the potential to go down as one of Geno’s best,” said Jensen. “This particular team, they have a very intense defensive balance to them.”

Tune in: UConn tips off against Iowa at 1:30 PM ET on Saturday, live on FOX.

NWSLPA rejects league’s ‘High Impact Player’ rule

The NWSL Players Association is not on board, rejecting the league’s recently proposed “High Impact Player” rule allowing teams to exceed the salary cap by up to $1 million to keep star athletes.

• The union gets a CBA-mandated final sign-off on all changes regarding compensation, with player representatives voicing their concerns this week.

• “The league is trying to control and interfere by trying to dictate which players get paid what with this pot of funds," NWSLPA executive director Meghann Burke told ESPN.

What they want: The NWSLPA instead suggested the league simply raise the 2026 salary cap by $1 million, giving clubs the same spending discretion without the star player mechanism.

• “Our position is that teams — GMs, soccer ops, business folks at the team level — are uniquely positioned to make judgment calls about how to structure their rosters, how to negotiate deals,” Burke continued. “It is within the purview of the teams to make those judgement calls, and in a system of free agency like we all agreed to, that’s how it works. It’s a free market.”

Holding firm: “We are actively reviewing feedback from the NWSLPA as part of the consultation process outlined in the CBA,” an NWSL spokesperson said in response to Thursday’s comments.

• “The league remains committed to being the home of the world's best talent, and this path gives our clubs the opportunity to pursue that goal while raising overall player investment.”

UWCL draw sets up potential Chelsea-Arsenal clash

With the UWCL league phase done and dusted, all 12 clubs still standing discovered their paths to the 2025/26 Champions League Final on Thursday — as four automatically qualified quarterfinalists await the winners of February’s playoffs.

• Reigning champs No. 5 Arsenal face a difficult road, staring down a potential quarterfinal against WSL rivals No. 3 Chelsea while eight-time UWCL winners No. 2 OL Lyonnes loom on the same side of the semifinal bracket.

• No. 7 Real Madrid have an opportunity to make UWCL history should they win their playoff tie against No. 10 Paris FC, setting up the tournament’s first-ever El Clásico with a possible quarterfinal match against No. 1 overall seed Barcelona. (See full draw)

Stay tuned: The UWCL playoffs start February 11th at 12:45 PM ET, live on Paramount+.

Texas A&M battles Kentucky for NCAA volleyball glory

The 2025 NCAA volleyball championship game is set, as No. 3 seed Texas A&M and No. 1 seed Kentucky blew past Thursday’s semifinals to punch a ticket to Sunday’s final.

• The Aggies kept their hot streak going after downing No. 1 Nebraska in the Elite Eight, handing No. 1 Pitt their first sweep of the season behind sophomore Kyndal Stowers and senior Logan Lednicky. (Watch full highlights)

• Last surviving No. 1 seed Kentucky managed to oust No. 3 Wisconsin in a five-set thriller, following the example of senior outside hitter Eva Hudson. (Watch full highlights)

The stakes: Texas A&M has pulled off upsets against two No. 1 seeds and one No. 2 seed on their way to a program-first tournament final, while the dominant Wildcats hunt their second NCAA title.

Tune in: The 2025 NCAA volleyball championship hits the floor on Sunday at 3:30 PM ET, live on ABC.

Report: Portland Fire hires Hall of Famer Sylvia Fowles

Retired WNBA icon Sylvia Fowles is returning to the court, with ESPN reporting Thursday that the former Minnesota Lynx center is set to join 2026 expansion side Portland’s assistant coaching staff.

• After reportedly fielding multiple coaching opportunities, 40-year-old Fowles will back up recently announced head coach Alex Sarama during the Fire’s debut season.

Big picture: The Hall of Fame inductee’s resume underlines her ability to make an impact on the sidelines, bringing championship experience and a defensive mindset to a team still forming its identity.

• The 2017 WNBA MVP won two league titles with the Minnesota Lynx and four Olympic gold medals with Team USA during her 14-year playing career.

Quote of the day

Sports Are Fun! guest host Ryan Campbell
casting her vote for the top women’s sports crash out of 2025.