WNBA and WNBPA Negotiate New Collective Bargaining Agreement with Deadline
Thanksgiving week is usually a time for rest and reflection, but in midtown New York, the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) are immersed in intense negotiations. The goal is to reach a new collective bargaining agreement, with a deadline that is rapidly approaching.The current collective bargaining agreement expires this Sunday, after a 30-day extension agreed upon at the end of October. Although negotiations could extend until December, time is of the essence, especially considering the upcoming expansion draft with two teams and a very active free agency period.
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November 26th Updates
The WNBA proposed a deal that would include a revenue-sharing component which, added to the base salary, would allow players to reach a maximum salary of over $1.1 million. The average salary would be over $460,000, and the minimum, over $220,000. Sources indicated that the proposal was not seen as a significant step forward in the WNBPA negotiations. Players from across the league expressed that there is still work to be done to secure the revenue-sharing system they have been defending. One player called the proposal a “slap in the face,” while another described it as “frustrating.” While the proposal includes significant salary increases, the WNBPA believes it does not adequately address the growth of the salary cap and player salaries in relation to the growth of the business, a key demand since they opted not to renew the current agreement in October 2024. In the current agreement, the salary cap increases annually at a fixed rate of 3%, reaching $1,507,100 in 2025, and a separate revenue sharing provision establishes direct payments to the players if the league reaches certain revenue targets. However, the latter was not activated during the agreement due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the 2020 and 2021 seasons. The players are seeking a salary system directly based on revenue, similar to the NBA, where the salary cap is determined by basketball-related income (BRI). The league has stated that it proposed “significant guaranteed increases in the salary cap and a substantial revenue sharing without a cap that allows players’ salaries to grow as the league’s business grows.” The WNBPA responded that the proposal “masks a system that is not tied to any part of the business and intentionally undervalues the players.” Negotiations between the league and the union have continued, with meetings scheduled throughout the week, including the weekend, before the Sunday deadline. There could be another extension, but in case an agreement is not reached, it would not necessarily imply an immediate work stoppage. They could continue negotiating under a “status quo” agreement. The lack of an extension could open the door to a strike (initiated by the players) or a lockout (initiated by the owners).The Expansion Draft in Waiting
The expansion draft for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo teams, which will debut in 2026, is affected by the delay in signing the agreement. Both teams are preparing for the draft, but with more questions than answers.The expansion draft format could be similar to that of 2000, where existing teams could protect five players. Toronto and Portland are expected to select a single free agent each, although this is not yet confirmed. With approximately 85% of current players as free agents this winter, the situation presents a challenge for the expansion teams.
The WNBA’s free agency usually begins on January 11th, with the possibility of signing contracts starting February 1st, and the season kicks off in May. However, an accelerated schedule is being considered, and even the possibility of holding the expansion draft, free agency, and the college draft between March and early April is being contemplated.Where do the negotiations stand before the November 30 deadline?
