Following months of unsuccessful negotiations and rising tensions, the WNBA and the players’ union met earlier this week for their first 2026 discussion aimed at advancing a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Despite the efforts, both sides acknowledged significant differences remain unresolved. Reports indicate the meeting ended with minimal progress toward compromise, with the new season just under three months away.
This raises the question: where is the sense of urgency?
The last formal CBA proposal came from the National Women’s Basketball Players Association in late December. Although the existing CBA extension has expired and the offseason has officially begun—with qualifying offers and core designations underway—there has been no advancement in scheduling further talks or revising existing proposals. Monday’s meeting was expected to spark movement but instead yielded no new offers or plans for another discussion. The union remains waiting for a response from the league after five weeks, with little indication of whether the WNBA intends to respond or challenge the players’ latest proposals, according to sources close to the talks.
Delaying tactics can be a strategic move in labor disputes, but the drawn-out process now stretches over 15 months. The WNBA faces two upcoming drafts, a key free agency period, and the necessity to uphold a major TV contract. At this stage, such foot-dragging could do more harm than good, especially as the league misses out on scheduled offseason events. For instance, free agency—featuring many of the league’s top stars—was slated to commence this week.
The WNBA currently enjoys an unprecedented wave of positive attention after a period of rapid growth, with players gaining more visibility and support than ever before. Both parties must move past labor disputes to get back to focusing on the game.
They remain deadlocked at a time when promoting the WNBA’s 30th season should be the priority—a significant milestone, considering how fragile the league’s position was just a few years ago.
Gone are the days of vague discussions around emotions or philosophy; this negotiation process, which began in October 2024, must advance beyond merely acknowledging progress. While both sides intend to continue direct talks, they appear content with the current pace. Meanwhile, the league and its players forfeit opportunities to capitalize on momentum and broaden their audience.
“This is one of the greatest moments we’ve ever had for women’s sports overall,” Caitlin Clark said on NBC’s Basketball Night in America. “This moment exists because of the quality of play we bring, so we must ensure it continues.”
The return to play hinges on resolving how revenue will be shared. Both the league and players propose substantial salary raises tied to revenue growth, with the latest WNBA offer including an average salary of $530,000 in year one and a max salary of $1.3 million, while the players’ proposals average over $800,000 annually. However, disagreements persist regarding revenue definitions and how to split the total earnings pie.
Other concerns, including housing, facility standards, and benefits for retired players, also demand attention but cannot move forward until salary structure issues are settled. Fundamentally, the two sides seem to interpret the WNBA’s business value quite differently.
One source noted that despite the players claiming they offered concessions, the league saw insufficient changes, leading them to withhold action on the union’s latest proposal.
Imagine an alternate scenario where the WNBA and players had reached a deal by the end of the second extension on January 9. The league could have spent the rest of January preparing for the expansion draft for two new teams in Toronto and Portland, culminating in a celebration of growth to 15 franchises and wide interest in the new teams’ rosters.
Early February would have kicked off free agency—potentially the most hectic period in league history with over 100 unrestricted free agents available. Simultaneously, the NBA’s trade deadline would dominate sports discourse, and the WNBA’s exciting free agency window could have added to the national conversation. Players would have been free to focus on college basketball or international competitions ahead of the postseason in March.
In addition, WNBA players often participate in NBA All-Star celebrity games. However, no WNBA players are slated to appear in the 2026 event on February 13. Although there are concerns about current professionals playing in less competitive celebrity games, these events remain a valuable platform to showcase WNBA talent. For example, Kayla Thornton of the Golden State Valkyries participated in the previous celebrity roster in 2025.
Meanwhile, WNBA teams are still awaiting key offseason activities. The expansion draft might overlap with March Madness, forcing teams to juggle multiple commitments including final draft scouting. Free agency news will dovetail with basketball tournaments and the post-championship transfer portal. Continued delays could force the league to reshuffle the offseason calendar to preserve the April 13 college draft.
If enough time is allocated for free agency and expansion drafts, training camps may bear the brunt of any schedule compression. WNBA camps are already shorter than other pro leagues, and further cuts could reduce play quality and raise injury risks before the season begins.
So far, both sides have avoided work stoppages, choosing good-faith negotiations. An official strike by players or a lockout by owners would disrupt communication and alter the labor relationship fundamentally. Regardless, the season may be threatened if no deal is reached—whether or not it involves work stoppages.
For now, the impasse continues with no clear signs pointing toward resolution.
The league and players’ union remain firm in negotiations, but it’s uncertain if the gains they seek justify risking the 2026 season’s quality and continuity.
This article was originally published in The Athletic.
Fan Take:
This story is important to WNBA fans because the ongoing negotiation impasse puts the upcoming season—and the league’s hard-earned momentum—in jeopardy. How the dispute unfolds will profoundly affect players’ livelihoods, fan engagement, and the future growth of women’s basketball.
