A lively debate happened in the female basketball village when Angel Reese and Dijonai Carrington refer to the ability to strike before negotiating collective labor agreements (CBA). This is a move that reflects the increasing discontent of athletes about working conditions, salaries and benefits they receive compared to what they offer.

Reese, WNBA’s rising star, frankly expressed his opinion that players need to fight stronger to achieve better conditions. She emphasized the significant difference in the salary between WNBA and NBA, and pointed out that although the female players spent a lot of effort, they have not been treated fairly. In that view, Carrington also called for the solidarity between the players to put pressure on the tournament management to improve the terms in the upcoming CBA.

One of the core issues that makes the players feel dissatisfied is that the salary is too low compared to professional sports standards. Currently, the average salary of a WNBA player is only about 100,000 USD/year, while NBA players can earn millions of dollars. This forces many female players to play abroad in the low season to earn more income, greatly affecting their health and performance. In addition, benefits such as travel, health care and facilities are also controversial issues.

The appeal of the strike not only reflects the frustration of the players but also a sign that they are willing to fight to change the situation. If a real strike takes place, this may be an important event to change the situation of female basketball in the future. This also posed a challenge for the WNBA leadership when faced with increasing pressure from athletes and the public.

Currently, CBA discussions are still in the early stages, but it is clear that the pressure from the players will be a factor not to be missed. With strong solidarity and voice from stars like Reese and Carrington, the ability to reach an agreement is more beneficial for WNBA players is entirely possible.