WNBPA Prepares for Potential Lockout or Strike by Establishing Player Training Hubs
01.08.2026
In a proactive move, the Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) has established Player Hubs across the United States and Spain, anticipating potential work stoppages. These hubs aim to provide players with essential resources for training, recovery, and health protection, regardless of the league's operational status.
This announcement comes just a day before the collective bargaining agreement's expiration on Friday. The agreement, initially set to end on October 31, has been extended by 70 days without significant progress. The WNBPA's latest proposal, submitted in December, demands approximately 30% of league and team revenue and a salary cap exceeding $10 million. The WNBA league office has yet to respond to this proposal.
Should no agreement be reached by the Friday deadline, the league and its players will enter a 'status quo' period, during which players may initiate a strike, or the league could implement a lockout. To mitigate potential disruptions, the union has established Player Hubs, described as a global network of training facilities offering access to basketball courts, weight rooms, and recovery areas throughout the offseason.
Jayne Appel Marinelli, SVP of Player Relations at WNBPA, expressed enthusiasm, stating, 'We've received an overwhelming response from facilities across the country and worldwide. We're expanding our locations as many have offered their support. These facilities are valuing our players and providing the necessary resources to ensure they stay ready and continue their passion. This initiative is about unity and ensuring every player has the tools they need.'
Renowned universities like Stanford, Cal-Berkeley, and UNLV, along with the Bay Club Network, which operates fitness centers in Oregon, Washington, and California, have opened their facilities. Bay Club also plans to offer employment opportunities during any lockout/strike period.
On the East Coast, players can access training and recovery services at the WNBPA headquarters in New York, as well as in Brooklyn and at Manhattan University. Exos' human performance centers will be available in Alpharetta, Gulf Breeze, Phoenix, and Plano, Texas.
International players will benefit from numerous hubs, including The Embassy, a high-end performance training facility in Málaga, Spain.
The WNBA has not yet responded to requests for comment.
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