Natasha Cloud Embraces Miami Escape Amid WNBA Uncertainty
MIAMI — Natasha Cloud is relieved to be away from the brutal winters of New York.
Due to the harsh conditions, she’s settled back in Miami for her second WNBA offseason, this time playing for Unrivaled.
Cloud enjoys the freedom of wearing just a Cropped Phantom T-shirt as she moves around the Unrivaled campus without the need for extra layers.
“It has been incredible,” Cloud shared after a recent game. “We’ve got a fantastic team with great chemistry and a positive vibe in our locker room.”
Now back at full strength, she recently had what she refers to as a “little…cleaning” on her left knee.
“It didn’t hinder my game,” she explained. Still, the decision for arthroscopic surgery came after experiencing discomfort over the years from her playing and training.
At 33, Cloud spent the initial part of the offseason in New York, not just recovering, but also enjoying time with her partner and Liberty teammate Isabelle Harrison as they explored the city.
Last month, her trainers cleared her to play in Unrivaled, and she’s been focusing on her body and adapting to the fast-paced, stop-and-go style of play.
“I’ve been building muscle,” she noted.
Overall, Cloud appreciates the change of pace and is eager to return to a basketball-focused routine, especially given the unpredictability surrounding the 2026 WNBA season amid ongoing negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement.
She’s reluctant to invest too much energy into worrying about what lies ahead.
“How could I?” she asked, reflecting on the uncertainty that remains until the new CBA is finalized.
“I’m just hoping to negotiate with the CBA and move forward,” Cloud continued. “People often ask us ‘What’s the plan?’ but it’s hard to make plans when everything is up in the air.”
With over 100 free agents expected to hit the market, including Cloud herself, the entire landscape of the WNBA could be on the verge of transformation.
Despite the uncertainty, players are clear on their demands. The most recent deadline has come and gone without an agreement.
Currently, the WNBA is operating as usual, but discussions are ongoing.
A potential suspension of free agency is on the horizon, and a significant player strike could also be a possibility.
One sticking point in these negotiations centers around revenue sharing. Players are pushing for 30 percent of gross revenue, while the league has countered with an offer of 70 percent of net revenue.
“We aren’t asking for much,” Cloud asserted. “We want recognition for our worth as we continue to grow. I hope that’s acknowledged.”
“We know we have influence. There’s strong support from our fanbase and several owners. It makes me wish we could have more direct meetings with the owners, bypassing some league hurdles,” she added.
For now, Cloud finds solace in Unrivaled, which provides a familiar environment for her and over 53 other WNBA players.
“We have a place that accommodates us year-round, complete with a training facility and ample resources,” Cloud concluded. “Unrivaled is creating positive pressure on the W team to take action. If they don’t, there are other leagues ready to invest in us.”
