The ongoing negotiations between the WNBA and the WNBPA have been complex and fluid. On November 30, both parties agreed to a six-week extension to resolve their disputes, pushing the deadline to January 9th to finalize a new contract beyond the 2026 season, thereby temporarily averting a lockout or strike. Shortly after extending the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the league proposed an updated maximum player salary, with a guaranteed base salary cap of $1 million and total earnings potentially reaching $1.2 million through revenue sharing. However, the WNBPA intends to reject this offer, citing doubts about the league’s financial calculations.
The league’s newest proposal suggests raising the salary cap to $5 million per team annually, reflecting increased revenue during the CBA’s tenure. Minimum player salaries would rise to over $225,000, with an average of $500,000 per year, while the top player salary would exceed $1.2 million. In contrast, the current CBA caps the salary at $1.5 million per team per season, with a minimum salary near $66,000 and a maximum just above $249,000.
Revenue sharing remains a critical and contentious topic. Under the WNBA’s latest offer, players would receive under 15% of league revenue, down from the 9.3% noted in the current CBA. The proposal includes a 50-50 split of some profits, though specifics remain unclear. This revenue split falls outside the salary cap and may explain how the league can propose a $5 million cap while maintaining average player salaries of $500,000.
Rookie contracts are also under review. The league has suggested a mandatory draft combine, where invited players must participate or face a 50% reduction in their base contracts. The WNBPA seeks to shorten rookie contracts from four to three years to allow earlier free agency eligibility.
Regarding the season schedule, the WNBA has proposed starting training camps as early as March, potentially expanding the season. This change would impact college basketball seasons, the WNBA draft, and other leagues. Expansion teams such as Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire face challenges finalizing rosters without an approved CBA by January. The league plans to grow from 15 teams in 2025 to 18 by 2030, adding Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia, which will lengthen the season—already grown from 28 games in 1997 to 44 games in 2025.
Other discussion points include:
– Team-provided housing benefits, which are reportedly excluded in the league’s latest proposal.
– Paid parental leave for non-birthing parents, offering a week off.
– Facility standards requiring private practice and training spaces.
– Retirement allowances and medical benefits for uninsured retired players.
– The removal of the “core specification,” akin to the NFL franchise tag system, to encourage player free agency.
Fan Take: This ongoing negotiation is crucial for WNBA fans because it directly affects the players’ financial well-being, competitive balance, and the league’s growth trajectory. A fair and sustainable agreement could elevate the sport’s quality and visibility, ensuring the WNBA’s continued rise as a premier professional league.
