Fever's Kelsey Mitchell Sends Concerning Message Amid Lockout Concerns

WNBA CBA Talks Near Deadline

Negotiations between the WNBA and the WNBPA have dragged on for months. The sides met briefly in July but failed to make progress. The union later said the league’s latest proposal “fails to address the priorities we’ve voiced from the day we opted out.”

Those priorities include fair revenue sharing, improved working conditions and ensuring future generations of players benefit from the league’s rapid growth.

Under the current structure, the maximum WNBA salary is $215,000, while the average salary is approximately $130,000. With a new $200 million-a-year media deal scheduled to begin next season, players argue they deserve a larger share of revenues that continue to climb with ticket sales, sponsorships and merchandise demand.

Fever forward Sophie Cunningham added that players are also pushing for guaranteed charter flights and better safety standards, given the rise in injuries leaguewide.

Kelsey Mitchell’s Recovery

Mitchell’s pointed message comes at a vulnerable time for both her career and the league. Just days earlier, she collapsed during Game 5 of the semifinals against the Las Vegas Aces. She was later diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a rare muscle condition caused by extreme fatigue and overuse.

Mitchell described the frightening moment as “an out-of-body experience” and admitted she briefly lost feeling in her legs. Despite the scare, she has since reassured fans that she is recovering and moving “at a slow pace.”

The 29-year-old had been the Fever’s offensive engine all season, averaging 20.2 points in the regular season and 23.3 in the playoffs. Without her, Indiana fell short in overtime against Las Vegas, 107-98.

Meanwhile, the WNBA is enjoying unprecedented attention, thanks in large part to rising stars like Mitchell and rookie sensation Caitlin Clark, who also addressed the uncertainty. Clark called October “a huge month for the W” and urged all sides to work together.

With record viewership, sold-out arenas and a lucrative broadcast deal about to launch, the momentum is real. But as Mitchell and other players have emphasized, that progress could stall if labor talks collapse.

For now, Mitchell’s words serve as both a warning and a plea: the league’s players want their fair share of the growth they helped build and without it, the upcoming season may be in jeopardy.