Liberty's Natasha Cloud Defends Players in CBA Fight

“This makes no sense for the younger players, for the players that get cut and are stuck in leases instead of the teams that bring in replacement players, nor for players in bigger markets. Let alone talking about player safety in safe areas.” 

Cloud tagged, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert in her post saying, “we want a girls girl. 

A Negotiation Without Resolution

The WNBA and WNBPA had been locked in negotiations for months. Two extensions later, the league and its players’ union remain without a new collective bargaining agreement. 

Both sides know what’s at stake: growth, stability, and the future identity of the WNBA itself. The league wants modernization and financial discipline; the players want security, humanity, and respect.

The latest extension came with a statement from the WNBA.

“The WNBA and WNBPA have agreed to extend the current collective bargaining agreement through January 9, 2026, with either party having the option to terminate the extension with 48 hours’ advance notice. The WNBA and WNBPA are continuing to work toward a new agreement.”

Why WNBA Housing Matters

Under the current CBA, teams must provide either a one-bedroom apartment or a housing stipend. Players with children under 13 receive two-bedroom units. It’s a system a system crucial for:

• Rookies who arrive with nothing but their luggage
• International players unfamiliar with the U.S. market
• Athletes who return from overseas seasons with no time to apartment-hunt
• Lower-salaried players who can’t afford sudden relocation costs
• Players who get cut late

Removing this protection threatens the safety and stability of the average players.

A Clear Message from Cloud

Cloud’s message clear as day: if the league is serious about protecting its players, it cannot take away their housing.

Her advocacy is resonating across the WNBA. Younger players repost her words. Veterans echo her stance. Fans rally behind her. And the conversation around housing has now become central to the CBA discussion.