WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement Extension: What Are the Implications?
The WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) have agreed to extend the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) until January 9, 2026. This extension, announced less than half an hour before midnight on Sunday, provides a respite of almost six weeks to continue negotiations. Both parties have the possibility to terminate the agreement with a 48-hour notice. After intense meetings over the weekend, including sessions until Sunday night, the union proposed this six-week extension, after initially considering a 24-hour extension, according to sources close to the negotiations. For its part, the league had initially proposed a 21-day extension.What Does This Extension Mean and Where are the Negotiations Headed?
This is not the first time multiple extensions have been used in CBA negotiations. In previous negotiations, five years ago, the initial agreement expired in October 2019, before being ratified in January 2020.Although a new agreement could be reached before January 9, it is almost certain that the expansion draft for the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire teams will take place later than expected. Last year, the Golden State Valkyries selected their inaugural players on December 6. The rules for the next expansion draft will be defined in the CBA, so a new agreement is required first.
In addition, WNBA free agency, which usually begins on January 11, will also be impacted. With most of the league’s veterans becoming free agents this year, fully consolidating this part of the offseason will not be feasible. The university draft is scheduled for April 13, 2026, followed by the start of training camps and games in May. Labor uncertainty could have significant commercial implications if fans and corporate partners fear a possible suspension of the 2026 season.Possible Scenarios
If an agreement is not reached after the extension, the parties could agree to another extension. If there is no agreement, a “status quo” period would begin, maintaining the working conditions of the current CBA, which would allow negotiations to continue. However, the lack of an extension could open the door to a possible strike by the players or a lockout by the owners. An extension is a logical strategy for both parties to continue negotiating and move closer to a final agreement. Prolonged labor uncertainty has real business implications. In addition, the WNBA and the players face a critical time situation this year. The league must conduct the expansion draft for the Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo, which depends on the completion of the new CBA. WNBA free agency usually takes place in January, with contract signings starting February 1st. The delay in negotiations could delay these crucial aspects of the offseason, increasing the possibility that everything will be concentrated in a reduced period of time.Key Points in Negotiations
A WNBA proposal included significant salary increases and a revenue-sharing component, offering players a maximum salary of over $1.1 million and a minimum of over $220,000. However, the WNBPA did not consider this proposal a breakthrough. The players’ main concern is that the proposal does not include a system where the salary cap, and therefore the players’ salaries, grow proportionally to the performance of the business, as is the case in the NBA. The players are seeking a salary system more directly linked to revenue, rather than a fixed salary cap. The negotiations are focused on the salary structure and revenue sharing. The players are seeking significant salary increases. Issues such as the establishment of minimum professional standards in the facilities and the codification of the league’s charter travel program are also being discussed. The league seeks to increase players’ salaries and associated costs, while encouraging owners to continue investing in the business. The expansion of retirement and family planning benefits is also a priority for the players. The prioritization rules, which require WNBA players competing in other leagues to report on time for the WNBA training camp, have been a topic of debate. The players have also expressed their desire to weaken or abolish the “core” system, similar to the NFL’s “franchise tag”. The league prefers expansion as a form of growth rather than adding positions to the roster, and prefers not to relax the salary cap. Another issue to resolve is the number of matches and future scheduling. The league seeks to maintain the calendar from May to October, with a possible extension to November in years like 2026, when the FIBA World Cup is held.Impact of Alternative Leagues
WNBA players have participated in other leagues, historically at the international level. The national landscape changed with the launch of Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 league founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. Unrivaled is presented as an option for players looking to supplement their income during the WNBA offseason. Project B, a new league, is scheduled to debut in November 2026 and extend until April 2027, with figures like Nneka Ogwumike, Alyssa Thomas, Jonquel Jones, and Jewell Loyd among its first participants. This league, which operates in Europe and Asia, offers salaries that could reach seven figures. While prioritization rules ensure WNBA players arrive at training camp on time, the league has no plans to demand exclusivity during this round of negotiations.Draft Eligibility
Eligibility for the WNBA draft is a recurring topic. Unlike the NBA’s “one-and-done” rule, players must be 22 years old in the year of the WNBA draft (unless they graduate earlier). International players must be 20 years old in the draft year to be eligible. So far, draft eligibility has not been a central issue in the negotiations.Expansion Draft
The expansion draft for the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire is a priority once a new CBA is established. The parameters for the expansion draft must be defined in the new CBA, so teams still have no specific rules or guidelines. A lottery is expected to determine which new team will select first in the college and expansion draft. In the Golden State Valkyries expansion draft, each team in the league was able to protect six players. Since this expansion draft involves two teams, it is speculated that the other teams in the league could protect five players.
