Negotiations between the WNBA and the Players’ Union Advance
After two consecutive days of intense negotiations, WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike reported that the players perceive progress in the collective bargaining talks and remain committed to staying at the negotiating table. Despite the efforts, an agreement has not yet been reached, exceeding the deadline set by the league to avoid impacts on the 2026 season schedule.At the end of the day, we want a season. We want to play. We’ve heard that from the other side as well. We need to see a more solid demonstration of that as we continue these negotiations.
Nneka Ogwumike
According to a source close to the negotiations, the league’s latest proposal includes an initial salary cap of $6.2 million, a significant increase from the previously reported $5.75 million and $1.5 million in 2025. This figure is expected to continue growing throughout the agreement. The average player salary could reach $570,000 in the first year and $850,000 in the sixth, while the maximum compensation would exceed $1.3 million in the first year and almost $2 million in the sixth.
Jennifer Rizzotti, president of the Connecticut Sun team and member of the labor relations committee, also expressed her optimism: “As a former player, I don’t think I ever thought I would see the day when such a transformative agreement for these players was offered and on the table, and I am proud of it.” The WNBA has proposed that players receive on average more than 70% of net revenue (revenue after deducting expenses). For its part, the players’ union had previously requested 26% of gross revenue (revenue before expenses) during the term of the agreement, with a salary cap in the first year of approximately $9.5 million, although the current position is unknown. The parties have maintained distant positions on how a new revenue sharing system should be, in addition to negotiating the future of central designation, team-provided housing, and other matters. Eight proposals have been exchanged in the last two days, with meetings that extended for approximately 12 hours on Tuesday night until Wednesday morning and then for about 11 hours on Wednesday afternoon until Thursday morning. Negotiations continue with the hope of reaching an agreement soon.Our proposal on the table is a truly historic and transformative agreement for these players. We are proud of the agreement we have on the table. I think they are great gains for the players, while balancing the health of the league. So we will continue to work very hard and we have to reach an agreement.
Cathy Engelbert, WNBA Commissioner
