NEW YORK (AP) — On Friday, the WNBA presented its latest offer to the players’ association, which includes modestly increased revenue-sharing terms and new housing benefits, according to two sources familiar with the talks. These individuals requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the ongoing negotiations.
The central sticking point continues to be revenue sharing. Association president Nneka Ogwumike told The Associated Press on Friday, prior to the league’s submission, that both parties remain far apart on what constitutes a fair revenue split in the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). “We need to agree on a percentage that truly reflects both the value we see in our players and the value our players seek,” she emphasized.
The players’ recent proposal called for roughly 30% of the league’s first-year gross revenue (revenue before expenses). The league’s new proposal slightly increases its offer, guaranteeing players more than 70% of net revenue—profits after covering expenses such as facility improvements, charter flights, luxury hotels, medical care, security, and arena costs.
The 2026 salary cap under Friday’s offer would be $5.65 million, a slight increase over the previous bid. Additionally, the league proposed housing support for players earning the minimum salary and first-year rookies, offering them one-bedroom apartments funded by their teams for the first three years of the new CBA, after which players would be responsible for the housing costs. Players traded mid-season would also get housing assistance, and two developmental players joining teams this year would receive studio apartments. All other players would cover their own housing expenses.
Ogwumike highlighted the importance of housing for player safety and convenience, stressing the benefit of close proximity between home, practice facilities, and arenas. She added that the association is suggesting a plan allowing players to use a portion of their income toward housing costs.
The league also proposed standards for practice facilities, requiring teams to provide player-only locker rooms, training rooms, and weight rooms—amenities many teams already possess or plan to develop soon.
This update comes just days after a three-hour negotiation session at NBA offices on Monday. Notably, the association waited over six weeks after the league’s response to deliver this latest offer. A source familiar with past talks told the AP last month that the league had viewed previous proposals as largely unchanged in revenue-sharing terms, meaning no urgent action was needed then.
If the two sides fail to finalize a new CBA soon, the 2026 season start date could be postponed. Expansion drafts for the Toronto and Portland teams have already been pushed back. The last CBA was revealed in January 2020, about a month after signing, and it may take up to two months following a new agreement before free agency begins—a process originally scheduled to start last month. The upcoming CBA is expected to include major salary boosts, with 80% of players entering free agency this offseason, marking the largest player movement window in WNBA history.
Delays would be costly for both parties, as each missed game means lost revenue, reduced sponsorship, diminished television exposure, and waning fan engagement. In December, players voted to authorize union leaders to call a strike if needed. While Ogwumike said a strike is not imminent, the union shared a social media video recalling the 1964 NBA All-Star Game walkout ahead of this weekend’s NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles.
“We fully recognize a strike is a possibility, but more dialogue is necessary,” Ogwumike said. “We’re not just going to pick a fight without reason—we want to show we are negotiating sincerely.”
AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
Fan Take: This development is crucial for WNBA supporters because it directly impacts player compensation and working conditions, which have long been points of contention. A fair and timely resolution could elevate the league’s profile, attract even more talent, and strengthen fan loyalty by showing that the sport values its players’ contributions.
