WNBA executives and the players’ union convened for several hours on Monday in New York to push forward negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), amid concerns that ongoing discussions might delay the start of the 2026 season. This latest meeting marked the first face-to-face gathering since the WNBA playoffs, occurring just 95 days before the season is set to begin.
After nearly three hours inside the Olympic Tower, Liberty owner Clara Wu Tsai was the first to depart, followed by player Stephanie Dolson. WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike, along with players Brianna Turner, Alisha Clark, and union Executive Director Terry Carmichael Jackson, exited shortly thereafter. When asked to comment, Ogwumike declined, and the league also chose not to provide any statements.
According to a source familiar with the talks, the meeting was seen as “a step back in the right direction,” but no new proposals were presented. The players’ association is still awaiting a reply to a proposal it submitted six weeks ago. The absence of a counteroffer from the league reportedly set an unproductive tone early in the discussions. Instead of negotiating terms, both parties spent time sharing their perspectives and reasons behind their stances. The union left expecting a counterproposal “soon,” although no specific timeline has been announced.
Players Kelsey Plumb and Nafeesa Collier were intended to attend in person but joined virtually due to travel issues, as did about 40 others, including stars Brianna Stewart and Elizabeth Williams. Present at the meeting were WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, Connecticut Sun President Jennifer Rizzotti, and members of the league’s Labor Relations Committee, with Seattle co-owner Sue Bird attending in person and Mercury owner Matt Ishbia participating online.
Plumb expressed optimism last week at a tour event in Philadelphia, noting the meeting would be a valuable learning experience. However, progress has been slow, with frustrations rising among players due to the league’s delayed response to recent offers. Liberty guard Natasha Cloud emphasized the standoff, saying, “We’re not moving out until you guys move out.”
The core dispute revolves around financial terms: players are requesting approximately 30% of total revenue and a $10.5 million salary cap, while the WNBA has proposed a 70% share of net revenue—in effect around 15% of the league’s total revenue—and a $5 million salary cap. With no new agreement in place, the league’s offseason activities—including the expansion draft, free agency, and college draft—are on hold. Talk of a strike remains a realistic option, with Azra Stevens recently voicing readiness to take such action if necessary.
“If the league wants to play and we don’t have a CBA, I have the money. I’m getting paid by Unrivaled and I have other income,” Stevens said. “So this is really their loss. I think it’s just ridiculous that they’re dragging it out this long.”
Fan Take:
This stalled negotiation is critical for WNBA fans because it directly affects the league’s future and the players’ ability to earn fair compensation. A timely and fair CBA is essential not only to kick off the 2026 season on schedule but also to elevate the sport’s growth and ensure its athletes are valued appropriately.
