The WNBA's latest collective bargaining agreement wasn't just about bigger paychecks—it was about where players lay their heads at night. And for Chicago Sky star Elizabeth Williams, that distinction matters more than most fans might realize.

Williams, who just inked a two-year, $1.2 million deal to stay with the Sky, opened up at Chicago's media day about why housing became such a flashpoint in negotiations. The league initially floated the idea of cutting team housing as salaries climbed higher, but players drew a hard line in the sand.

"As female athletes, we can't just go places and feel safe and comfortable," Williams explained. "That was one aspect of it. And then again, just the movement of players throughout our league. Stability-wise, it's really important."

The numbers tell the story: Under the new CBA, all players can request housing through 2028. Starting in 2029, anyone making under $500,000 will have team-provided housing as a guarantee. It's a win for the rank-and-file players who don't have max contracts but still face the same challenges of uprooting their lives every season.

Williams revealed that it was during those marathon eight-day negotiation sessions in New York back in March that the players' union truly drove home the point. "The in-person meetings were when we could properly illustrate why this mattered," she said.

Even WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert admitted she was caught off guard by how fiercely players fought for housing. "I just assumed having two children in their 20s that paid for their own housing, that once they were making these much increased salaries, that that wasn't something they would need or want," Engelbert said earlier this month. "But they made it very clear it was very important to them. It was an emotional issue."

For a league where players often bounce between cities, sometimes on short notice, housing isn't just about having a roof—it's about having a foundation. And as the WNBA continues its explosive growth, that foundation might be the most important thing of all.