The WNBA generated roughly $200-300 million in revenue in 2025, and for the first time in league history, reached its revenue-sharing threshold. This triggered a $16 million sum to be shared amongst its players.
Despite all the positives the W has seen this decade in terms of growth, Charles Barkley believes the league’s negative narratives will eventually lead to its downfall.
Charles Barkley Believes Nobody Will Care About the WNBA Once the NFL Begins
Chuck pointed out the obvious internal positives the WNBA has undergone while speaking to Michael Smerconish on SiriusXM. He said,
“This was a great summer for them. They all got raises. They started making the money that they deserved. They expanded. They’re going to increase games next season.”
Charles Barkley says the WNBA finally got the raises, the expansion and the attention, and none of it will matter in two weeks
“Because this was a great summer for them. They all got raises. They started making the money that they deserved. They expanded. They’re going to… pic.twitter.com/EnlW57UHh4
— katsu (@katsuxbt) August 25, 2026
Players negotiated a new revenue-sharing model in March that increased the salary cap from $1.5 million to $7 million. The average salary for a W player rose to over $583,000 while the players secured a 20% share of league and team revenues.
The league also added two new expansion teams in 2026 for its 30th-anniversary season: the Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo.
The number of games will also increase from 44 to 50 come 2027. Despite all of these changes, however, Barkley isn’t convinced the general public cares enough about the league.
“I can’t remember the last time I heard something positive about the WNBA. We’re not in those times anymore — because what’s gonna happen once the NFL starts in two weeks? Nobody’s going to care about the WNBA.”
The NFL regular season is set to begin on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. The W does face stiff competition due to scheduling against the NFL.
However, last season’s Playoffs set a league record for viewership, averaging 1.2 million viewers across 24 games on ESPN networks.
Though the 2026 season is a bit different, as it’s been marred by controversy. Discourse over trans eligibility in the league has led to a ton of negative media coverage for the WNBA.
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and league officials have consistently been in the crosshairs of a large portion of Americans who want the league to amend its current CBA and define what a ‘woman’ is.
Barkley has spoken about this too, saying, “Under no circumstances do I think men should play against women. Zero! I’m disappointed in Adam Silver and Cathy [Engelbert].”
Former NBA player Enes Kanter’s recent heated exchange with the Sky’s Natasha Cloud during the Sky-Fever game on Sunday at Wintrust Arena grabbed national headlines, taking attention away from actual basketball being played on the hardwood.
The proof is in the pudding when it comes to fans responding to good basketball. Caitlin Clark and the Fever’s dramatic OT win over the Dream this month led to 2.58 million viewers on average on ESPN and peaked at 4 million viewers.
Barkley’s hypothesis that fans won’t care about the W once the NFL begins will have to be tested, as the league is currently in a volatile state, and it’s difficult to predict whether fans will grow tired of the outside noise pouring in.
