'We’re Not Backing Down': Natasha Cloud Sounds Off As WNBA Starts Push For CBA Shakeup

It was the largest in-person gathering of WNBPA reps yet, with more than 20 players from Charles Barkley to Caitlin Clark showing solidarity. Cloud’s declaration matches the mood; after years of small pay bumps, players are demanding a big leap in salary, benefits, and revenue share.

Sources say talks—set up by an opt-out clause—have hit a wall. Players left Wednesday’s meeting calling it “bull‑—‑t” and “insulting,” suggesting they won’t settle without serious concessions.

Cloud’s leadership in this moment matters. She’s fresh off a trade to the Liberty and has experience from her Mystics title run. She has more than on-court chops—she brings megaphone-level energy to the table, rallying her voice alongside veterans like Sabally and Ionescu.

With the current deal set to expire in October and a $2.2 billion TV contract in the bank, the stakes are high. It’s not just about cash—it’s about workplace rights, roster growth, better off-court support, and player involvement in key league decisions.

Cloud’s vow to “not back down” may be the most commanding note yet in what could be the defining moment of WNBA labor history.

Natasha Cloud Stands Tall: ‘This Moment Is Bigger Than Me’

Natasha Cloud isn’t just defending her paycheck—she’s speaking for the next generation of WNBA players.

Sources around the negotiation table report she told peers: “We know our worth. We know our value,” and vowed not to accept a weak offer. She added, “This is all about business,” referencing expansion team fees and record media deals.

Cloud has also brought her veteran presence to the Liberty, arriving from Connecticut after leading the Mystics to a title. In New York, teammates say she’s elevated both morale and on-court effort. Her leadership during the CBA push builds on a legacy of advocacy—on and off the floor.

The message is clear: the moment demands more than small change. Cloud and her colleagues are pushing for a transformational deal—one rooted in fairness, transparency, and shared power. With less than four months before the current CBA expires, her voice could be the one that carries WNBA into its next era.