There have never been this many eyes, and in turn, this much opportunity to leave a lasting impression as the union negotiates a deal ahead of the Oct. 31 deadline.<\/p>\n
Though its skyrocketing ascension in recent years is largely attributable to a youth movement, it\u2019s the old guard \u2014 er, sorry, more experienced players \u2014 burdened with the task since the postseason will go on without any of the headline names from the two most recent drafts.<\/p>\n
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Caitlin Clark, the most widely recognizable player for casual fans, announced last week that time had run out for her to return<\/a> from a left groin injury. The seventh-seeded Indiana Fever, decimated by injuries all year, will host their first postseason game since 2016 without her. Her absence hasn\u2019t hurt attendance<\/a>, even if it has lowered the ceiling on the league\u2019s jaw-dropping viewership numbers<\/a> in games featuring the NCAA\u2019s all-time leading scorer.<\/p>\n Paige Bueckers, the presumptive Rookie of the Year to take Clark\u2019s crown, and the Dallas Wings were one of the first teams eliminated from playoff contention. The Washington Mystics, led by rookie All-Stars Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, pushed hard for a spot, but fell short. Sky forward Angel Reese is busy telling her front office to surround her with talent<\/a> so they can be there. And when the Storm secured the final playoff spot on Tuesday night<\/a>, it knocked out the Sparks\u2019 2024 lottery picks, Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n While those absences may be a bummer, they’re far from concerning in terms of playoff attention. Only Clark played in the postseason a year ago. And the 2024 Finals \u2014 a five-game gauntlet of a series that became the most-watched in 25 years, with a year-over-year viewership rise of 115%, according to ESPN \u2014 featured the same cast that will star in this year\u2019s playoffs. There\u2019s no reason to believe the numbers won\u2019t be as impressive by the time a new champion is crowned in October.<\/p>\n No, this is the time for the veterans to stand up and ball out in crunch time. The playoffs are built for Napheesa Collier, A\u2019ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Alyssa Thomas, Allisha Gray and Sabrina Ionescu to shine. The StudBudz, too. One final moment for show, not tell, when it comes to reinforcing their case for more of the pie. Because the pie keeps growing larger, beyond the $200 million annual historic media rights deal kicking in in 2026, and a reported $750 million in expansion fees for the most recent three additions<\/a>.<\/p>\n WNBA All-Stars, including Caitlin Clark and Sabrina Ionescu wore “Pay Us What You Owe Us” shirts during warmups before the All-Star Game. (Photo by Steph Chambers\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n (Steph Chambers via Getty Images)<\/p>\n It\u2019s what future Hall of Famer Candace Parker wanted out of the All-Star Game. The three-time WNBA champion criticized players for wearing \u201cPay Us What You Owe Us\u201d T-shirts during this year\u2019s All-Star warm-ups, only to treat the game like a friendly participation trophy soiree. It was an \u201cadded opportunity\u201d to make the point and \u201cmaximize the moment,\u201d she said on her \u201cPost Moves<\/a>\u201d podcast with Fever forward Aliyah Boston.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The playoffs, the premier product of any professional sports league, are that opportunity juiced with four shots of espresso. Add an energy drink on the side for good measure. These are the best players in the world fighting for championships and legacies.<\/p>\n When a league is as young as the WNBA, that fight includes the labor protections they leave for young and future stars. Players are tunnel-visioned on salary and revenue-sharing structures that deliver \u201ca fair and reasonable percentage\u201d of the \u201centertainment we provide,\u201d Collier said in July. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said the league wants to balance \u201csignificantly increas[ing] their salary and benefits\u201d while allowing owners a path to profitability and continued investment.\u201d<\/p>\n The three most recent CBAs were all ratified in January or February. The lone exception was when the first CBA expired ahead of 2003. The league hadn\u2019t yet turned 10, and questions abounded about whether a professional women\u2019s sports league could survive in the United States.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n![\"INDIANAPOLIS,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/158f6ae0-7ee0-11f0-bf6d-c317a49189b4.jpeg\"\/)
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