In a week that should be celebrating the holiday spirit, the WNBA has instead plunged into a cold war that threatens to derail the most successful era in the history of women’s sports. The headlines are screaming about solidarity following the recent strike authorization vote, but behind the “93% participation” and “98% YES” figures lies a much more complex and divisive reality. While the WNBPA executive committee now has the power to call a work stoppage, the narrative of a perfectly united front is a carefully constructed illusion. The real story isn’t just about the overwhelming majority; it’s about the silent minority—the roughly 3 to 5 players who stood their ground and voted “NO”—and the massive, unspoken conflict of interest that may be driving this entire crisis toward a January 9th disaster.

As we dissect the current labor standoff, the most glaring issue is the role of the new Unrivaled basketball league. Founded by WNBA superstars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier—both of whom hold high-ranking positions on the WNBPA Executive Committee—Unrivaled represents a staggering conflict of interest that the mainstream media seems terrified to touch. In any other industry, having union leaders who own a private, competing business in the same field would be a massive red flag. If the WNBA strikes or enters a lockout, Unrivaled becomes the only high-level professional women’s basketball product playing in the United States. This gives the union’s leadership a “safety net” that 90% of the league’s rank-and-file players simply do not have. For a superstar with an equity stake in an offseason league, a strike is a high-stakes poker move with a backup plan; for the 12th player on a roster struggling to pay a mortgage, a strike is a fast track to financial ruin.

This brings us to the most targeted woman in sports today: Caitlin Clark. Despite her historic rookie season and the literal millions of dollars she has funneled into the league’s coffers, Clark has found herself caught in a vicious crossfire. Twitter is currently furious, with critics attacking her from every angle. One side bashes her for not being “radical” enough in her labor stance, while the other blames her very presence for the “greed” currently infecting the negotiations. Clark has been remarkably consistent, stating that while she supports players getting their fair share, “we need to play basketball” because “that’s what the fans crave.” For this moderate, pro-fan stance, she is being vilified. It is the ultimate irony: the player who did the most to create this new “revenue pie” is being treated like the enemy for wanting to ensure the oven stays on.

The strike authorization itself is likely a massive tactical bluff, but it’s a gamble that could backfire spectacularly. The WNBPA is demanding a 30% gross revenue share, a steep climb from the current model.^<!–> Meanwhile, the league has countered with a proposal that includes a $1.3 million maximum salary and an uncapped revenue-sharing model.^–> By threatening to walk away just as the league has secured a $200 million-per-year media rights deal, the union is risking the “Caitlin Clark momentum” that took thirty years to build. If the January 9th deadline passes without a deal, the 2026 season—the season that was supposed to feature the debut of the Golden State Valkyries and a record 44-game schedule—could be officially dead on arrival.

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While the WNBA teeters on the edge of a self-inflicted blackout, the NBA is preparing for its 78th Christmas Day tradition.^–> If you’re looking for a distraction from the labor drama, the December 25th slate is absolutely loaded. In the early window, expect the New York Knicks to continue their holiday dominance; playing at Madison Square Garden on Christmas is a different beast, and Jalen Brunson thrives under those lights. For the afternoon clash between the Thunder and Spurs, I’m taking Oklahoma City. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is playing at an MVP level, and while Victor Wembanyama is a generational talent, the Thunder’s depth is too much for San Antonio to handle over 48 minutes.

The primetime games offer even more intrigue. The Warriors vs. Mavericks matchup features the holiday debut of Cooper Flagg, but I’m betting on the “Old Guard” here—Stephen Curry rarely misses a chance to put on a show on Christmas, and Klay Thompson’s return to the Bay Area adds a layer of emotion that usually favors the home crowd.^<!–> In the late-night slot, the Lakers vs. Rockets game is a toss-up, but LeBron James in his 20th Christmas appearance is hard to bet against, especially with the Lakers’ home-court advantage.^–> Finally, the Nuggets vs. Timberwolves battle will be a defensive grind, but Nikola Jokić’s ability to control the pace in the Denver altitude should lead the Nuggets to a narrow victory.

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Ultimately, the contrast between the two leagues couldn’t be sharper. The NBA is celebrating its traditions and its future, while the WNBA is flirting with a disaster that could alienate millions of new global fans. Whether the strike authorization is a brilliant negotiation tool or a desperate bluff by leaders with a conflict of interest remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: if a deal isn’t reached by January 9th, the only winners will be the lawyers, and the biggest losers will be the fans who just wanted to watch the greatest era of women’s basketball finally take flight.

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