INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Fever are staring down one of the most unpredictable offseasons in WNBA history, with nearly all of their veteran roster in free agency and a looming collective bargaining agreement (CBA) dispute threatening league-wide operations…
As the 2025 season closed, only three Fever players—Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Makayla Timpson—remain under contract for 2026, leaving front offices scrambling to plan amidst unprecedented uncertainty. All other veterans face free agency, while expansion teams Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo prepare to join the league next year, further complicating roster decisions…
The source of the chaos is the expiring CBA, set to lapse on October 31, mere weeks after the WNBA Finals. Until a new agreement is ratified between the league and players’ union, crucial offseason events such as the WNBA draft lottery, the expansion draft, and free agency cannot legally proceed. Players are also withholding signatures, anticipating a transformational increase in salaries and a fairer revenue-sharing model, with top salaries currently capped at around $250,000 and revenue sharing hovering at only 9%…
Tensions have already surfaced publicly. Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray noted during the semifinals that the league and union haven’t reached agreement on a single item, while Napheesa Collier delivered a scathing statement in her exit interview, directly challenging Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and the league hierarchy. The remarks reverberated throughout the WNBA, raising concerns of a potential lockout…
Engelbert, speaking at a news conference before Game 1 of the Finals, expressed cautious optimism. “It’s a balancing act,” she said. “I feel confident we are going to get a deal done… We have a lot of experience in these negotiations… We want to make sure there’s no interruption, but obviously that’ll be up to the players and our owners.” Despite the assurance, league insiders acknowledge that negotiations remain fragile…
From a team perspective, Indiana is attempting to focus on the controllables. General manager Amber Cox emphasized preparation amid uncertainty: “You start prepping for the college season, for what’s going on internationally, planning our scouting… We are talking to all the players, focused on development plans, finding out what their needs are, how we can support them… Really, just focus on what we can control, and as things roll out, we’ll be ready to go.”
The Fever also face pressing roster questions. Unrestricted free agents like Kelsey Mitchell, who has been identified as the team’s “No. 1 priority,” Sophie Cunningham, and restricted free agent Lexie Hull have all expressed interest in returning, but nothing is finalized. With the majority of the team’s veterans in flux, Indiana’s offseason strategy hinges entirely on the timing and outcome of CBA negotiations…
Coach Stephanie White underscored the importance of staying grounded. “You get exhausted if you start thinking about the what-ifs and what can happen… Right now, I’m just going to be where my feet are. Take it one day at a time,” White said. Her comments reflect the mood across the Fever organization: cautious optimism mixed with practical preparation for an offseason unlike any other…
As the WNBA approaches December, when the draft lottery and expansion draft are scheduled, league officials and team executives alike are watching closely. Every decision—from free-agent signings to rookie selections—is contingent upon an agreement that remains unsettled. For the Indiana Fever, navigating this high-stakes uncertainty will define the foundation of their 2026 campaign, both on the court and in the boardroom…
Leave a Reply