Negotiations over the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the WNBA and the WNBPA, which have been stalled, may finally show progress starting Monday. League and player representatives plan to meet in person in New York on February 2nd. From the players’ side, WNBPA executive committee members Nneka Ogwumike (president), Kelsey Plumb (first vice president), and Nafeesa Collier (vice president) are expected to attend, with other members like Brianna Stewart possibly joining either in person or remotely.
This will be the first face-to-face meeting between the league and players since last fall, according to Plumb. While league and union staff have continued discussions, a full negotiation session hasn’t occurred in over a month. Speaking before Friday’s Philadelphia is Unrivaled game, Plumb emphasized the importance of in-person talks: “After all, we are humans. I think face-to-face conversations are very effective. I’m looking forward to working directly with passionate players on the executive committee and beyond, and it’s encouraging that the league is committed to engagement.”
Plumb also highlighted the significance of the upcoming meeting in terms of timing: “Everyone understands what’s at stake timeline-wise.” With the 2026 WNBA season kicking off on May 8, the league needs to complete the addition of two expansion teams, free agency, and the college draft by April 13.
Although the WNBA has yet to respond to the proposal the WNBPA submitted about a month ago, sources told ESPN the league is waiting for the players to offer a proposal they view as more feasible. Plumb remains hopeful about the meeting and said, “It’s best to sit down and clarify our relationships and conversations. When you only talk over the phone, things can get disorganized. Sitting across from each other allows us to express how we feel and see what we can achieve together.”
Fan Take: This development is a crucial moment for WNBA fans, signaling that productive talks may finally resume after months of silence. Reaching an agreement soon is vital to ensuring a smooth start to the 2026 season and could set the tone for the league’s growth and player empowerment in the years ahead.
