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- WNBA and players union have been negotiating new CBA since October 2024
- New player salary model to be tied to league’s revenue
- Wider WNBPA body and WNBA board of governors still to vote on deal
The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) have reached a verbal agreement for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
The terms of the deal are in the process of being finalised, with players and the league’s board of governors still to vote on the contract. The new CBA comes just over 50 days before the new season was scheduled to commence on 8th May.
“The progress made in these discussions marks a transformative step forward for players and the league, and it’s underscoring a shared commitment to the continued growth of the game,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert told reporters.
“It’s [been] a process, but we’re very proud to be leading in women’s sports, and these players are amazing, and we’re going to have an amazing 30th season tipping off in May.”
The new CBA coincides with a period of rapid growth for the WNBA, with engagement, attendances and viewership all reaching new heights over recent years. It also concludes a lengthy period of negotiation that began in October 2024 when the WNBA opted out of the previous pact, which expired in October the following year.
Over the past eight days, both sides have conducted intensive in-person talks that lasted for more than 100 hours in a bid to reach an agreement beore the nee season.
One sticking point that prevented a deal revolved around revenue sharing, with players wanting a new salary model that was directly tied to the WNBA’s revenue. According to The Athletic, the league most recently offered players 15.5 per cent of total revenue earned during the CBA’s duration.
The Athletic reports that the WNBA’s recent proposal included a US$6.2 million salary cap, which enables players to earn an annual supermax salary that starts at US$1.3 million and increases up to US$2 million.
Engelbert added that the deal was a “fair win-win for all”, while WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson said that “Cathy and her team understood that the players wins were the league’s wins, and that our stories of success are shared stories of success, period.”
“For the first time, player salaries are tied to a truly meaningful share of league revenue, driving exponential growth in the salary cap, increasing average compensation beyond half a million dollars, and raising the professional standard across facilities, staffing, and support,” said Nneka Ogwumike, WNBPA president and Seattle Storm forward.
“It strengthens housing and retirement and expands resources for family planning and parental leave. It redefines what it means to be a professional in this league.
“I’m really excited about players coming into this league for the first time and not having a sense of lack. I really am excited about that and knowing that it will just continue to grow, because that’s what we’ve negotiated for ourselves who are in this league, and for those who are going to follow us.”
Once finalised, this will become the sixth CBA signed off in the WNBA’s history. The league and players will now prepare for the upcoming campaign, with training camp to open on 19th April and preseason games to tip off on 25th April.
Prior to training camp, the league also must hold an expansion draft for its two new franchises in Toronto and Portland, as well as overseeing a free agency period and the collegiate draft.
“This deal is going to be transformational,” added Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty star and WNBPA vice president. “You’ll see the details hopefully soon, but it’s going to build and help create a system where everybody is getting exactly what they deserve and more. From on the court and off the court aspects. I’m just excited that we can tell our fans that we’re going to be back.”
SportsPro says…
The WNBA has on an upward curve, with public interest, revenues and team valuations at an all-time high. However, the league appeared to be financially cautious about managing its growth due to previous losses, which was at odds with the players’ eagerness to gain better salaries and a larger share of the competition’s earnings.
At long last, both sides have come to an agreement, after going back and forth on different revenue share proportions. Failing to strike a new CBA would have been catastrophic, leading to a lockout that would have halted any momentum at a crucial juncture in the league’s journey.
The 2026 season was already pivotal for the WNBA, which is adding two new teams and beginning new US$200 million broadcast deals with ESPN, Amazon and NBC. A reduced or delayed season would have meant no matchday income, made it difficult to continue audience expansion, and put the brakes on any new commercial initiaitves.
Everyone will be breathing a sigh of relief.
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