The WNBA’s newly-signed collective bargaining agreement (CBA) has shifted the landscape of a once-under appreciated league.But it comes with a warning from veteran Erica Wheeler: ‘We must play our best basketball this year.’WNBA veteran Wheeler believes the historic CBA comes with a warningGettyTerms of a new deal were agreed on March 18 following months of back-and-forth negotiations, walkouts that threatened to delay the 2026 season, and one final push in a marathon bargaining session.All is now said and done, and the WNBPA has secured a CBA will benefit players of the past, present and future.The current stars of the league will see big pay raises, a real stake in revenue share and improved working conditions.Future players will be compensated be based on the gains made this year, and those legends who came before the women’s basketball boom will receive ‘recognition’ payments if they have at least five years of service in the WNBA.Wheeler, a veteran with more than a decade of experience playing for the likes of the Indiana Fever, Seattle Storm and now Los Angeles Sparks, is in no doubt: This deal is historic.But it’s now time for the stars of the WNBA to showcase why they’re deserving of the spoils.The top 10 highest-paid players in 2026 combine for an impressive $41,241,000 in contact value — a figure that dwarfs the earnings of those that came before them.WNBA veteran sends warning to fellow stars over CBA“This new deal has changed so many people’s lives, right down to the retiring players, being able to get compensated for their years,” Wheeler, an OnlyFans-sponsored WNBA athlete, exclusively told talkSPORT.“I think that was super huge for us, to be able to get to show the respect level we have for the ones that came before us.“But this new deal is really going to change the trajectory of everything. I think this year is probably going to be the best basketball you’ve ever seen in WNBA.“There’s so many people signing these contracts, and nobody wants to make a million and average and two points. You’re going to get talked about.WNBA stars will be paid what they were owed thanks to the long-awaited dealGetty“So, I think everybody is going to have a year where they play the best basketball. They’re going to be in the best shape.”With increased salary comes increased scrutiny.But Wheeler believes the new CBA will also bring more eyeballs to the WNBA, too.She added: “We’re probably going to have the highest views that we’ve ever experienced, because there’s so much money involved.“What I hope, is that my peers don’t give anybody space to have anything to say about what we got, and how hard we fought, and that we ‘didn’t deserve it.’Wheeler doesn’t want players to give any reasons to criticise the CBAGetty“When we play, they’re going to be like, ‘OK, they deserve the money that they received.'”As CBA talks dragged on, many WNBA stars took matters into their own hands, with a demand to be paid what they were ‘owed’.Players were vocal on podcasts and TV appearances, during the WNBA All-Star Weekend, and across their own social media.WNBA stars showed ‘unity’ to secure historic dealIt was a multi-platform approach, and one that perhaps helped change the trajectory of talks.60 seconds with WNBA star Erica WheelerWheeler answered quickfire questions during her chat with talkSPORTGreatest starting 5: Chris Paul, LeBron, D-Wade, Cappie Pondexter, Shaq.Best tunnel fits in the WNBA: I think Skylar Diggins really puts on the fashion.Worst tunnel fits in the WNBA: I won’t answer that. You won’t get that out of me. Best team to play on the road: I’ll have to say between Vegas and Indiana. Best trash talker: Courtney damn Williams. Jesus. I’m going to say two actually. Courtney Williams and Marina Mabrey. Damn, they be talking. Where will the WNBA to be in five years’ time: It’s going to be one of the most talked about leagues in the world. In five years, it’s going to be hard to get tickets. Wheeler, who uses OnlyFans to closely connect with her followers, believes a deal might not have been agreed without that noise.“I think it was super important,” she said of players using a range of platforms to call for a new CBA.“It shows unity and make no mistake, everything that we did up until this point was as one.“Nobody really strayed away. Of course, we had questions and we had things that raised our eyebrows.WNBA players showed unity to secure a historic CBA after months of negotiationsGetty“Women’s empowerment is a unique thing that the world just underestimates.“And I think we showed the world that we are capable, and that we belong in the spaces we’re in right now, and we deserve to be compensated for what we’re doing.”Thanks to a new agreement, WNBA stars will continue to challenge the discourse that once surrounded women’s basketball.Erica Wheeler using OnlyFans to ‘break down barriers’Wheeler herself knows all about making positive change, and revealed she feels her partnership with OnlyFans helps her do so on a regular basis.Wheeler is a WNBA veteran used to breaking down barriersGetty“I mean, if you think about my life, I just break down barriers,” she said. “I was undrafted, now walking in Year 12. So for me, I’m a risk taker and I want to be one of those players that changes the trajectory of what OnlyFans stands for.“It’s not just me, I’m not the only athlete on there. And (we share) this day-to-day stuff like workouts and game photos.“It’s basically a monetized platform that’s allowing me to connect with my fans in a different way, and also a different audience that I may not attract from other platforms. “So I think it’s super unique. I’ve been getting a lot of followers, talking on lives, having a lot of conversations that I wouldn’t get on Instagram or Snapchat. “I can sit there, have intimate conversations about basketball, what I do in my day-to-day, how I work out — and stuff like that. “So I think it’s super cool to be able to have that outlet.”Following months of back-and-forth over a new CBA, it’s almost time for WNBA players to step back on the court for the 2026 season, which tips off on May 8. There will be more eyeballs, and perhaps more scrutiny, thanks to that historic offseason change. But Wheeler, and the rest of the league, will be ready. OnlyFans has a huge range of sport creators, offering them a platform to engage with fans through exclusive behind the scenes content and insights into their training routines, from boxers and tennis starts to MMA fighters. Fans can also check out Rise & Grind on OFTV to see athletes gearing up for their big games and matches.