The WNBA and its players association have been in frequent discussions since agreeing to a 30-day extension on their current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) in late October. The deadline for this extension is Sunday night, yet significant differences remain, especially concerning the future pay structure of the league, according to sources familiar with the talks shared with The Athletic.
Last month, both parties exchanged updated proposals and continued discussions, including a negotiation session on Saturday. The players’ union has consistently suggested a pay system that links player salaries to a percentage of the league’s revenue.
In late October, the league proposed a plan that would enable top-tier players to earn over $1.1 million annually, combining a base salary (estimated between $800,000 and $850,000) with a revenue-sharing component. However, the specifics of the revenue-sharing details were not disclosed, and players expressed dissatisfaction as their calls for revisiting the salary system were ignored, with the emphasis remaining on a fixed base salary.
A decision on whether to extend negotiations beyond Sunday is expected after further talks. If neither side agrees to extend, a work stoppage won’t immediately begin; instead, a status quo period will take effect. During this period, working conditions remain unchanged, and players still have access to team facilities and medical benefits. Nonetheless, either the union or the league might announce a suspension of operations at any point, while negotiations can continue.
The league and players previously extended their agreement twice before the 2020 CBA was finalized: once for 60 days and again for two weeks, pushing the deadline to mid-January when the new agreement was reached. On October 30, both sides agreed to a 30-day extension that included a termination clause allowing either party to end it with 48 hours’ notice, though the clause hasn’t been triggered yet.
Before the October 31 deadline, the league held a virtual meeting with team offices about a potential work stoppage—a precautionary step not necessarily implying an imminent lockout or strike. It’s unclear if similar meetings happened leading up to Sunday’s deadline. The league updated its board on negotiations during a meeting in New York City in mid-November.
In addition to salary, talks are ongoing about implementing a league-wide charter flight program, enhancing family planning benefits, improving health insurance, and formalizing benefits for retired players. The “core designation” rule is expected to be further debated—this rule, established in the 2020 CBA, requires most players competing internationally to return by the start of WNBA training camp or face suspension. The league hasn’t proposed that players be restricted to only WNBA competition, nor have draft eligibility rules seen significant discussion.
If no agreement is reached by Monday, this offseason’s schedule is likely to differ from last year’s. Delays could affect the timing of upcoming expansion drafts for Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, as the Golden State Valkyries held theirs in early December 2024. The expansion draft rules, guided by the CBA, are yet to be finalized. WNBA free agency, typically starting in mid-January, could also be delayed based on negotiation progress.
This report was originally published by The Athletic.
Fan Take: This ongoing negotiation is crucial for WNBA fans as it directly impacts player pay and working conditions, shaping the future of the league. A fair, revenue-linked salary model could help attract and retain top talent, elevating the entire sport to new heights.
