The WNBA did not present any new proposals to the WNBPA during their most recent collective bargaining agreement (CBA) meeting, as reported by ClutchPoints. In a crucial in-person discussion held Monday in New York, the league and the players’ association showed little progress toward reaching a new agreement.
The nearly three-hour meeting, led by WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert on the league’s behalf and Seattle Storm president Nneka Ogwumike, Indiana Fever treasurer Brianna Turner, and Washington Mystics team president Stephanie Dolson for the WNBPA, did not yield a consensus. According to Front Office Sports’ Annie Costabile, the WNBA has yet to respond to the players’ December proposal, which included a maximum yearly salary of $1.3 million, a salary cap near $10.5 million, and revisions to the revenue-sharing structure.
Instead of rejecting the players’ demands, the league indicated it would take time to prepare a formal reply. The current CBA was terminated by the WNBPA in 2024, though it was initially set to run until 2027. Both sides must finalize a new deal before the season begins in May, or risk a lockout, with several players already expressing readiness to strike.
Following the meeting, WNBPA representative Clark noted there is still uncertainty, saying that without an official response from the league, discussions remain open-ended and it is unclear what a potential strike might entail. The WNBA and its players association stand at a pivotal crossroads, needing to quickly negotiate a mutually beneficial agreement to avoid disruption and sustain the league’s momentum.
Fan Take: This standoff matters deeply to WNBA fans because the outcome will shape the league’s growth and stability in the coming years. A well-negotiated agreement could elevate player compensation and league quality, while failure to reach a deal risks a damaging lockout that could stall the sport’s rising popularity.
