WNBA CBA Negotiations: Is a Deal or a Strike on the Horizon?
The league meetings held in New York last week, with the participation of owners, presidents, general managers, and coaches from WNBA teams, raised a crucial question: When will the league and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) reach an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement? Could a possible work stoppage be on the horizon? New details emerged on Tuesday night. The league’s latest proposal, which was initially reported by The Associated Press, includes a revenue sharing with a maximum salary of over $1.1 million starting in 2026, a minimum of over $220,000, and an average of over $460,000. Both parties are expected to meet for a negotiation session on Wednesday. Job uncertainty persists and the consequences could increase over time. Renewals and partnership opportunities are affected by the current situation, impacting the season’s schedule. Here’s a look at the key points of the negotiations and what could happen:Priorities at the Negotiation Table
Salary structure and income distribution are central issues in these negotiations. Significant salary increases are anticipated for the players, but there is still no agreement on how they will be implemented. The players’ priorities, when choosing not to renew the current collective bargaining agreement in October 2024, include establishing minimum professional standards in facilities and codifying the league’s travel program. The league seeks to increase salaries and other cost commitments, incentivizing owners to invest in the business. The growth of the WNBA offers the opportunity to move from operating at a loss to achieving sustainable profitability. In addition, the expansion of retirement benefits and family planning are prioritized. The priority rule, which requires WNBA players to report to training camp on time, has been a subject of controversy. However, owners are not expected to soften these rules. The players have also expressed their desire to weaken or abolish the “core” system, similar to the NFL’s “franchise tag.” The league seeks to maintain this system to retain talent. The league is also considering the number of games and future scheduling. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has expressed a desire to keep the season between May and October, with possible extensions until November in years like 2026, when the WNBA will take a break for the FIBA World Cup.The Impact of Alternative Leagues
WNBA players have historically participated in international leagues. Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 league founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, launched its inaugural season, offering an alternative for players to supplement their income during the WNBA offseason. Unrivaled aims to provide an average salary of $200,000. Project B, a new league debuting in November 2026, is also in development. It will offer seven-figure salaries and a format similar to Formula 1, with 66 players competing in Europe and Asia. Although these leagues are not considered direct competitors to the WNBA, they could exert pressure during collective bargaining negotiations. Regarding the priority rules, the league does not plan to demand exclusivity from its players in this round of negotiations.WNBA Draft Eligibility
Eligibility for the WNBA draft is a recurring topic. Players must be 22 years old in the draft year, while international players must be 20 years old. So far, this issue has not been a major focus in the negotiations.Expansion Draft
The expansion draft for the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire teams is a priority once the new collective bargaining agreement is established. The parameters of the draft will be defined in the new agreement. The expansion draft for the Golden State Valkyries took place on December 6th, with the 12 teams protecting six players each. It is expected that in this expansion draft, teams will be able to protect five players.
The biggest point of conflict
The main disagreement lies in the salary structure and revenue sharing. The players are seeking a salary system that grows with the business, while the league has offered an uncapped revenue sharing model that is based on the league’s performance.WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has stated that the league seeks to “balance the significant increase in salaries and benefits with the long-term viability of the league”, and that so far, “the Players Association has not yet offered a viable economic proposal”.
Cathy Engelbert
