WNBA CBA Negotiations: A Pivotal Moment for the Future of Women’s Basketball
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 (CBA) before the deadline. The current agreement is scheduled to expire on Sunday, following a 30-day extension agreed upon at the end of October. Although negotiations could extend into December, time is of the essence, especially considering the upcoming expansion draft of two teams and the free agency period. This is a crucial moment for the future of women’s basketball.Key Proposals and Disagreements
One of the WNBA’s most recent proposals included a revenue-sharing component that, added to the base salary, would allow players to reach a maximum salary of more than $1.1 million. However, the WNBPA did not consider that this proposal significantly advanced the negotiations.While the proposal includes significant salary increases, the WNBPA seeks a system where the salary cap and player salaries grow in line with the success of the business, a key demand since they opted not to renew the current CBA in October 2024. The players want a salary system more linked to revenue, similar to the NBA, where the salary cap is determined by basketball-related income.Some players described the proposal as a “slap in the face” and “frustrating”, highlighting the need to secure a more favorable revenue-sharing system.
WNBA Players
Current Status of Negotiations and Possible Scenarios
Despite the proximity of the Thanksgiving holiday, meetings between the league and the union will continue throughout the week, seeking an agreement before the Sunday deadline. Options include a new extension or continuing under the “status quo” framework, where the conditions of the current CBA would remain in effect. The lack of an agreement could open the door to a strike (initiated by the players) or a lockout (initiated by the owners), which would affect the start of the season.Expansion Draft: An Additional Challenge
The expansion draft for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo teams, which will debut in 2026, is also affected by the CBA negotiations. The uncertainty surrounding the draft rules makes it difficult for both teams to plan. It is expected that the draft format will be similar to that of 2000, where existing teams were able to protect five players. However, the final rules have not yet been established. The WNBA’s free agency usually begins on January 11, with contract signings starting on February 1, and the season beginning in May. Given the delay in negotiations, it is considered an accelerated schedule, even with the possibility of the expansion draft, free agency, and the college draft being held between March and early April.Priorities at the Negotiation Table
The salary structure and revenue sharing remain the focus of negotiations. In addition to the expected salary increases, the players’ priorities include establishing minimum professional standards in the facilities and codifying the league’s charter travel program. The league seeks to increase salaries and other costs, incentivizing owners to invest in the business. The expansion of retirement and family planning benefits is also a key issue. The prioritization rule, which requires WNBA players to compete in other leagues and show up on time for training camp, has been a topic of debate, but is not considered a major point of conflict. Players are also seeking to weaken or abolish the “core” system, similar to the NFL’s “tag”. The league prefers expansion over adding positions to the roster and is unwilling to relax the salary cap, as it considers that this could create unfair competition. Another issue to resolve is the number of matches and future scheduling. The league seeks to maintain the season from May to October, with possible extensions in November.The Impact of Alternative Leagues
The emergence of leagues like Unrivaled and Project B, with higher salaries and benefits for players, has added pressure to the negotiations. Although these leagues are presented as complementary to the WNBA, some players hope they will influence the negotiation process. Unrivaled offers players the possibility of earning additional income during the WNBA offseason, with an average salary of $200,000. Project B, which will debut in November 2026, also offers significant salaries and a format similar to Formula 1, with players competing in Europe and Asia.Despite these alternatives, the league has no plans to demand exclusivity from its players in this round of negotiations.
Draft Eligibility
Eligibility for the WNBA draft, which requires players to be 22 years old in the draft year (unless they graduate early), has not been a central issue in negotiations so far.Next Steps
The resolution of these negotiations is crucial for the future of the WNBA. The success of the league depends on an agreement that benefits both the players and the teams, ensuring sustainable growth and a competitive environment.
