After Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham and $90,000 guard make major statement on CBA negotiations

On Tuesday, Caitlin Clark confirmed that she would be attending the first in-person collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations between the WNBA and the players' association on Thursday.

Prior to Wednesday's game against the New York Liberty, Clark's Fever teammates Sophie Cunningham and Sydney Colson, who is signed to a one-year, $90,000 contract, also weighed in on the matter.

“We deserve more than what they're giving us, and we're going to stand on it,” Cunningham was quoted as saying by Indy Star's Chloe Peterson. “As players, there's just so much that we need to get done and to discuss, and hopefully (WNBA commissioner) Cathy (Engelbert) is going to be open, because we're being serious. We're selling out these huge stadiums. We deserve more, and they got to put their money where their mouth is. If they want us to show up and play games, they need to pay us more.”

The presence of more WNBA players in Indianapolis points to the gravity of Thursday's negotiations, as the players' union continues to fight for better salaries and benefits moving forward.

According to a poll conducted by The Athletic from late May to mid-June, WNBA players identified "higher salaries" as the foremost priority in the CBA negotiations. The survey also indicates that players have their eyes set on expanded roster spots and better perks for their families.

However, as reported by Madeline Kenney of The New York Post earlier this week, negotiations between the league and the WNBPA have been "lagging." The expectation is that the in-person meeting will facilitate more progress on the CBA talks.

"We have players represented there, and they feel that the pressure from us," said Sydney Colson. "They see that we care, that we're involved, that we know what's going on, that we know that it's not fair what's taking place. With this league that has started seeing this growth, the players should be seeing that in their salaries and a lot of other areas."

With Clark set to attend and a number of WNBA players showing up to back the union, the players' side will clearly be putting pressure on the league and team owners to implement changes.

"This is a very important time for our league" - Caitlin Clark comments on importance of CBA negotiations ahead of in-person meeting in Indianapolis

Prior to the Fever's game against the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday, Clark, who is widely credited for her role in boosting the WNBA's popularity, talked about her mindset heading into the in-person CBA negotiations.

"I'm still trying to understand and engage as much as possible," Clark told reporters. "This is a very important time for our league and where it's going to continue to grow. I'm certainly looking forward to those meetings and being in them."

Though Clark has missed several Fever games this season due to injuries, she appears dead set on making her presence felt at the CBA meeting.

Edited by Simoun Victor Redoblado