The clock is ticking on the WNBA’s next Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) — and with just 20 days left to negotiate, the outcome could reshape the future of stars like Kelsey Mitchell.
As the WNBA and the Players Association (WNBPA) work toward a new deal, the stakes have never been higher. Players are expected to earn larger salaries, but the real battle lies in revenue sharing. Unlike the NBA, the WNBA has resisted granting players a share of league-generated income, creating a growing tension that could lead to a work stoppage if no agreement is reached.
For Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell, the negotiations could be career-defining. The three-time All-Star, who set a franchise record by averaging 20.2 points per game in 2025, is among the league’s most dynamic scorers — yet unlike superstars such as A’ja Wilson or Caitlin Clark, Mitchell doesn’t have major endorsement deals supplementing her income.
Currently, Mitchell is “cored” by Indiana, a designation that allows the team to retain her rights and pay her a supermax salary. But under a potential new CBA, teams may only be allowed to core a player once, giving top-tier players more freedom to choose their destination.
If that rule changes, Mitchell could soon control her own fate — deciding whether to chase a championship elsewhere or continue building her legacy in Indiana. Either way, her fut
ure — and that of the league — hinges on what happens in the next feKelsey Mitchell WNBA, Indiana Fever news, WNBA CBA negotiations, WNBPA, WNBA salary cap 2025, Kelsey Mitchell contract, WNBA free agency 2026, WNBA core designationw weeks.
