The WNBA and the National Women’s Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) are set to meet on Monday at 2 p.m. ET to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Following the expiration of the current CBA extension and with fewer than 100 days until the planned start of the 2026 season, both parties agreed to pause free agency in mid-January to work toward a deal.
According to a source familiar with the discussions, while a brief, informal meeting took place in January between league and player union representatives, Monday’s meeting will be the first in-person gathering involving the labor board, team owners, league officials, and players since December. Efforts were made throughout the past week to arrange this formal session to continue negotiations.
WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike, along with First Vice President Kelsey Plum and Vice President Nafeesa Collier, will attend Monday’s meeting in person. Additionally, another insider shared that the players held a phone call on Tuesday to plan their next steps after the WNBA failed to respond to the most recent player proposal submitted in December, and progress has stalled over the past month.
The main issue still blocking an agreement relates to players’ annual salary structures and revenue sharing. The league proposes deducting expenses from overall revenue before distributing players’ shares, while the players want the full revenue split before any deductions are made. Both proposals factor in team and league revenues for total revenue sharing, contrasting with the previous CBA that required revenue targets to be met prior to sharing. The new deal, agreed upon by both parties, would remove revenue thresholds and caps before sharing begins.
The WNBA’s latest six-year proposal includes an average salary of $530,000 in year one with a top salary of $1.3 million. Meanwhile, the players’ recent counteroffers suggest annual average salaries exceeding $800,000.
Should the CBA be finalized, the league will move forward with an expansion draft involving Toronto and Portland, free agency featuring over 100 unrestricted players, and a college draft scheduled for April 13th. The season, consisting of 44 games, is set to start on May 8th.
In its 30-year history, the WNBA has never experienced a labor stoppage. The last major professional sports shutdown in the U.S. was the NHL lockout in 2013, which lasted nearly four months, and the NBA’s 2011 lockout that reduced its season to 66 games.
This report was originally published by The Athletic.
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Fan Take: This negotiation is crucial for WNBA fans because it will set the foundation for fair player compensation and sustainable league growth. A successful agreement promises to elevate the sport’s profile and ensure top talent remains committed to the league’s future.
