The National Women’s Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) remains far from finalizing a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the WNBA, more than a year after pulling out from the previous deal. Negotiations have so far yielded no progress, with both parties facing a critical deadline this Sunday following a mutually agreed 30-day extension of the 2020 CBA, which is nearing its expiration.
The core issue centers on the WNBPA’s demand for increased player salaries along with a salary cap that can grow in line with the league’s business expansion—a model long used in the NBA, overseen by commissioner Adam Silver, who also supervises WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
Just before the previous CBA extension expired, both sides agreed to prolong negotiations until January 9, providing a 40-day window to reach an agreement. The WNBPA emphasized its demand for substantial progress during this period, having earlier proposed a six-week extension with the expectation of meaningful movement.
The WNBA recently unveiled a proposal spotlighted by a supermax salary exceeding $1.1 million, yet the players’ association rejected it due to insufficient revenue-sharing terms. This ongoing delay has already impacted the league’s 2026 schedule, with key events like the expansion draft and free agency dates still undecided. The outcome of this new extension will be pivotal, potentially shaping both the current labor situation and the future trajectory of the WNBA.
Fan Take: This negotiation is crucial for WNBA fans because it directly influences player compensation and the league’s growth potential. A strong agreement could elevate the sport, making it more competitive and financially rewarding, while a stalled deal risks slowing the momentum women’s basketball has gained.
