WNBA: CBA negotiations in the final stretch, Lockout on the horizon?

The 2025 season has come to an end, and a new champion has been crowned. However, with the start of the offseason, attention turns to collective bargaining negotiations. The current agreement expires on October 31st. Both Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and the WNBA Players Association (WNBPA) have expressed their desire to reach a “transformative” agreement, although the two sides appear to be far apart in negotiations on the most important issues.

Key Priorities and Possible Scenarios

What are the players’ priorities? What happens if a new agreement isn’t reached before the deadline? How realistic is a lockout? Here’s a summary of everything you need to know.

Salaries and Income Distribution

The increase in salaries is a key priority, but the most important issue is the distribution of revenue: how it is determined and whether the percentage can grow during the term of the agreement, instead of being a fixed figure. Nneka Ogwumike, president of the WNBPA, mentioned that the players insist on obtaining a percentage of the revenue that grows with the business, which could include team revenue.

The players insist on obtaining a percentage of the revenue that grows with the business.

Nneka Ogwumike

Satou Sabally, forward for the Phoenix Mercury, pointed out that a recent proposal from the WNBA makes players feel like they are not part of the league’s growth. In the NBA, fans are accustomed to team salary caps being set based on a percentage of what the collective bargaining agreement defines as “basketball-related income.” In contrast, the current WNBA agreement defined the salary cap for each season in advance, with modest annual increases. In August, Ogwumike indicated that a WNBA offer significantly increased the salary cap and base maximum salaries, but followed the same model as the current agreement. A Front Office Sports report estimated a supermax salary of around $850,000, with a minimum for veterans of around $300,000.

There is a possibility of a lockout. I promise you we won’t play until they give us what we deserve.

Sophie Cunningham

The players are questioning whether they are receiving their fair share of the growth, considering the increase in franchise valuations. For example, the Las Vegas Aces were purchased for $2 million in 2021 and are now valued at $310 million, while the New York Liberty were acquired for between $10 and $14 million and are now estimated to be worth around $450 million.

Prioritization and Other Topics

The prioritization, which requires players to prioritize the WNBA over other leagues, is another issue that players could question in these negotiations. Satou Sabally has spoken with athletes from other basketball leagues and other sports about their own labor negotiations. The player believes that it is not beneficial to impose restrictions on players to participate in other leagues.

Impact of Television Rights

The league’s agreement with Disney, Amazon Prime Video, and NBCUniversal, valued at approximately $2.2 billion, is also a significant factor. The players want to ensure they get a fair share of these revenues.

WNBA players appear to have lost faith in Cathy Engelbert, who was booed by fans during the presentation of the WNBA Finals trophy. The support of Adam Silver and the WNBA owners could ultimately determine whether she remains as commissioner.

The Role of Cathy Engelbert

Commissioner Engelbert was booed by fans during the championship trophy presentation. Minnesota Lynx player Napheesa Collier’s criticisms of Engelbert’s leadership have also generated controversy.

The WNBA has the worst leadership in the world.

Napheesa Collier

Adam Silver, NBA commissioner, acknowledged that it is necessary to repair relationships. Silver’s and the owners’ support is crucial for Engelbert’s continued position.

What Happens if an Agreement is Not Reached?

Not reaching an agreement before October 31st would not necessarily imply an immediate lockout. A lockout would be unprecedented in WNBA history.

There is a possibility of a lockout. I promise you that we will not play until they give us what we deserve.

Sophie Cunningham

The WNBA could have more urgency this year due to the league’s expansion, with the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo teams set to begin playing in 2026. The league will need to conduct an expansion draft and a draft lottery. Although a lockout in the offseason would be detrimental, the main concern is the loss of games, which benefits no one. Key dates to note include the expansion draft, the draft lottery, and free agency.