After Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham and $90,000 guard make major statement on CBA negotiations

On Tuesday, Caitlin Clark confirmed that she would be attending the first in-person collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations between the WNBA and the Women's National Basketball Player's Association (WNBPA). Now, just like the Indiana Fever does on the court, Clark's teammates have followed her lead by making a statement on the negotiations, which take place on Thursday.

Prior to Wednesday's game featuring the Fever and the New York Liberty, Sophie Cunningham and Sydney Colson — who is signed to a one-year, $90,000 contract with the Fever as per Spotrac — told WNBA insider Annie Costabile about increased player presence at the negotiations in Indianapolis.

"Sophie Cunningham and Sydney Colson both said pregame that the expectation is if players are in Indianapolis they will be at Thursdays CBA meeting," Costabile tweeted.

Annie Costabile

@AnnieCostabile

LINK

Sophie Cunningham and Sydney Colson both said pregame that the expectation is if players are in Indianapolis they will be at Thursdays CBA meeting.

The presence of more WNBA players in Indianapolis points to the gravity of Thursday's negotiations, as the players' union continues to fight for better salaries and benefits moving forward.

According to a poll conducted by The Athletic from late May to mid-June, WNBA players identified "higher salaries" as the foremost priority in the CBA negotiations. The survey also indicates that players have their eyes set on expanded roster spots and better perks for their families.

However, as reported by Madeline Kenney of The New York Post earlier this week, negotiations between the league and the WNBPA have been "lagging." The expectations is that the in-person meeting will facilitate more progress on the CBA talks.

With Clark set to attend and a number of WNBA players possibly showing up to back the union, the players' side will clearly be putting pressure on the league and team owners to implement changes.

"This is a very important time for our league": Caitlin Clark comments on importance of CBA negotiations ahead of in-person meeting in Indianapolis

Prior to the Fever's game against the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday, Clark — who is widely credited for her instrumental role in boosting the WNBA's popularity — talked about her mindset heading into the in-person CBA negotiations.

"I'm still trying to understand and engage as much as possible," Clark told reporters. "This is a very important time for our league and where it's going to continue to grow. I'm certainly looking forward to those meetings and being in them."

Though Clark has missed several Fever games this season due to multiple injuries, she appears dead set on making her presence felt at the CBA meeting.