The WNBA and the players’ union are currently at an impasse in their labor negotiations, with players requesting over double the revenue share the league has offered. Both parties have proposed salary structures tied to league revenue, but their differing methods of calculating player pay have prolonged talks.
The National Women’s Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) has suggested players receive roughly 30% of total league and team revenue, according to a source familiar with the talks reported by The Athletic. Conversely, the WNBA’s latest proposal would allocate less than 15% of total league revenue to players, a figure expected to decline over the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) term based on revenue projections.
The WNBPA proposes setting the salary cap by taking a player’s share from the prior season’s total revenue, deducting player-related costs such as medical insurance, local travel, and housing, then dividing by the number of teams. They also want mandatory audits for transparency. In the first year, players would earn 29% of the previous season’s gross revenue, adjusted once for the new 11-year, $2.2 billion media rights deal starting next season. This percentage would increase by 1% each year, reaching 34% in the final CBA year.
The WNBA’s plan offers players 50% of a shareable portion of league revenue, though this does not equate to total revenue. Average salaries could be at least $500,000 annually, with top players earning $1.2 million in the first year, increasing over time. The association has not specified a max salary but expects top players to exceed $1 million per season.
Negotiations have continued since a second deadline extension on November 30, with the current CBA expiring on January 9. The league recently declined a WNBPA offer for players to receive 33% of gross revenue per contract term, which included a 1% yearly increase.
WNBPA first vice president and Lakers All-Star guard Kelsey Plum expressed frustration over the slow progress, while Fever star Caitlin Clark emphasized the significance of this moment for the WNBA and the players’ fight for fair compensation.
Beyond salaries, proposals address issues like draft consolidation, season length, and contract terms. The WNBPA wants 12-player rosters with two additional developmental players allowed per team, while the WNBA suggests increasing games from 44 to up to 50 maximum in an 18-team league, potentially starting training camp in mid-March.
The league wants mandatory wearable tech in games by next season; the union proposes a phased introduction by 2028. The WNBPA also seeks salary exceptions to reward performance and wants four weeks of paid parental leave for non-birth parents, compared to the league’s one week.
Union proposals include adding more full-time security, expanding non-coaching staff like physical therapists, and offering mental health reimbursements of up to $500 monthly for out-of-network providers. Retirement benefits discussions include lump sums for former players with four years’ service and health exam reimbursements.
This summarized update was originally featured in The Athletic and covers major WNBA teams and developments.
Fan Take: This negotiation is a pivotal moment for the WNBA, as fairer compensation and improved player conditions could elevate the league’s stature and attract top talent. For fans, a strong CBA means a more competitive, sustainable, and exciting future for women’s basketball.
