INDIANAPOLIS — Predicting the Indiana Fever’s next moves this offseason is nearly impossible, as the WNBA faces widespread uncertainty. Almost every veteran player is set to hit free agency, while two new franchises the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo prepare to enter the league in 2026. With free agency, the expansion draft, and the WNBA draft all ahead, everything remains on hold until the league and players’ union finalize a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
The CBA dictates everything from the timing and rules of the expansion draft to player contracts. Until a new deal is reached, no expansion or free agency activity can officially begin. Players are holding out for major salary increases and improved revenue sharing, but with the current agreement expiring on October 31, tensions are mounting and a potential lockout looms.
Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray recently revealed that the two sides haven’t agreed on a single issue, and Napheesa Collier’s pointed statement criticizing commissioner Cathy Engelbert further intensified the situation. The league’s December draft lottery and expansion draft are also in jeopardy without a new agreement, and free agency usually beginning in January may be delayed.
Engelbert, speaking before the WNBA Finals on October 3, remained optimistic that negotiations would conclude without major disruptions. “It’s a balancing act,” she said. “We’re working hard to reach a fair deal, and I’m confident we’ll get there.”
The upcoming CBA could bring sweeping changes. Players are pushing for higher salary caps currently maxing out around $250,000 and a more equitable revenue split closer to the NBA’s 49–51% structure. Other elements, such as the core designation (which grants teams exclusive negotiation rights for supermax players), prioritization rules, and draft eligibility requirements, may also be revised.
For now, front offices can only prepare with the limited information available. “We control the controllables,” Fever general manager Amber Cox said, noting that the team is focusing on scouting, player development, and support plans while awaiting clarity.
The Fever have just three players under contract through 2026 Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Makayla Timpson. Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham have both expressed interest in returning, while re-signing Kelsey Mitchell remains the franchise’s top priority.
Head coach Stephanie White emphasized staying focused on the present amid all the uncertainty. “If you start thinking about all the what-ifs, it gets exhausting,” she said. “Right now, we’re just staying grounded, taking it one day at a time, and preparing for whatever comes next.”
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