WNBA: Key Negotiations in the 2025 CBA and Their Impacts on Players

2025 WNBA All-Star Game: A Collective Cry for Equal Pay

The WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis in 2025 will be remembered not so much for the on-court performances, but for a powerful demonstration of unity. During warm-up, all the All-Star players wore black t-shirts with the slogan “Pay Us What You Owe Us”. This slogan referred to the ongoing negotiations between the Women’s National Basketball Players Association and the WNBA, where the players felt that the desired progress was not being achieved. The decision to use these shirts was unanimous, demonstrating the strong union of the 22 All-Stars. Solidarity has been a fundamental principle among WNBA players, even before these negotiations. However, as in any labor negotiation, individual realities vary considerably. Some players are millionaires thanks to off-court sponsorships, while others depend primarily on their WNBA salaries, which in 2025 ranged from $66,079 (the minimum) to $249,244 (the supermax), or from other leagues. There are rookies, veterans, international players, and future prospects awaiting their opportunity. A recent development in these negotiations is that some players have involvement in, or have even co-founded, other professional leagues. With the deadline for the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) set for November 30, what’s at stake for these diverse interests and how might these differences manifest themselves in the negotiations? We analyze the different perspectives of the players and the WNBPA and how they could be affected when the new agreement is ratified.

Terri Jackson, WNBPA Executive Director, negotiates her second collective bargaining agreement with the league.

Negotiator: Terri Jackson, Executive Director of the WNBPA

Jackson, who took over as CEO in 2016, is involved in her second CBA negotiations. She led the securing of the 2020 agreement, which represented significant advances for the players, including considerable salary increases, changes that boosted a more dynamic free agency, and improvements for mothers and those on parental leave. The relationship between Jackson and WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, who took office in July 2019, seemed to flow well for the 2020 CBA. However, since then, the relationship seems to have cooled, with Jackson criticizing Engelbert’s comments in 2024 about online criticism from fans. This year, the union has shown a stronger criticism towards the WNBA/NBA regarding labor negotiations, seeking to influence public opinion with actions such as the use of “Pay Us What You Owe Us” jerseys in the All-Star Game. With so much at stake in an evolving financial landscape for the league, this could be a pivotal CBA for Jackson. Therefore, it is crucial for her to keep the players united, including assuring the union’s rank-and-file members that their interests, as well as those of the WNBA stars, are being protected.

Before the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, WNBA players like Indiana star Caitlin Clark wore jerseys with the message “Pay us what you owe us”.

High-earning superstars off the court

Key examples: Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever; A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces; Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty; Angel Reese, Chicago Sky; Paige Bueckers, Dallas WingsCaitlin Clark, for example, has high-profile sponsorship deals with companies like Nike, State Farm, and Gatorade, which provide her with much more income than her salary in the WNBA. She is part of a group of players, both veterans and those with rookie contracts, who could withstand a possible work stoppage without financial difficulties. That said, a key part of obtaining sponsorships is visibility, which the WNBA provides. Clark has two years left on her rookie contract, which she signed as the first pick in 2024. Once she becomes a free agent, she could financially afford to do what Wilson has done: accept a lower salary to ensure playing with a solid group of teammates that fits within the salary cap. However, we don’t know if the new CBA will result in fewer cases of players willing or feeling the need to do that.

Kiah Stokes started in 18 of the 40 regular season games for the WNBA champion Aces during the 2025 season, averaging 1.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 12.9 minutes. She has been on all three Las Vegas teams that have won the title.

Role Players

Key examples: Kiah Stokes, Las Vegas Aces; Natisha Hiedeman, Minnesota Lynx; Lindsay Allen, Connecticut Sun

There is a variety of perspectives and experiences even within this category. Some, though not all, are making good money abroad, in Unrivaled (where there will be 48 roster spots in 2026, up from 36 in the inaugural season) or with Athletes Unlimited (40 spots). Some, though not all, have quite considerable off-court income sources. However, those who have neither depend more than their peers on their jobs in the WNBA and the success of the league, and a labor disruption would likely impact them more.

A salary increase of four or five times in the WNBA would have a significant impact on this group. More roster spots, through expansion or an increase in the size of the rosters, would also provide them with more opportunities to go to teams where they can earn more money or simply find the best fit.

Mystics forward Kiki Iriafen was named to the 2025 WNBA All-Rookie team.

Players with rookie contracts

Key examples: Kiki Iriafen, Washington Mystics; Aaliyah Edwards, Connecticut Sun; Maddy Siegrist, Dallas Wings Not all young WNBA players are as fortunate as Clark to supplement their income off the court. For them, the extent to which the league raises the minimum salary could be crucial. When the minimum rose 36% in 2020 at the start of the current CBA, rookie contracts were revised upwards so that no player earned less than the minimum. Given the likelihood of a much larger increase this time, league sources have speculated that the minimum salary could quadruple, recent draft picks are poised to profit despite being under contract. At the same time, with long careers, hopefully ahead, young WNBA players will not want to secure a deal that limits their earning potential in the future. For future stars, this CBA will not only determine the upcoming seasons, but will also set the stage for subsequent agreements.

DeWanna Bonner, 38, is a two-time WNBA champion and has just finished her 16th season in the league.

Players About to Retire

Key examples: DeWanna Bonner, Phoenix Mercury; Alysha Clark, Washington Mystics; Sami Whitcomb, Phoenix Mercury; Tina Charles, Connecticut Sun

Bonner, who turned 38 in August, was the second-oldest active player in the WNBA last season. During the WNBA playoffs, she told reporters that she wasn’t sure if she would play again in 2026. Whether she does or not, a player of her age likely has a strong interest in the WNBA starting a pension plan similar to what NBA players have. Currently, the WNBA has a 401(k); the NBA has that plus a pension plan, which began in the 1960s and is based on years of service and average salary. Current WNBA players want those who came before them, the league began in 1997, to also benefit from a pension plan.

Kiana Williams, a late second-round pick in the 2021 WNBA draft, has played a total of 38 games over the last five seasons, with stops in Seattle, Phoenix, and Connecticut.

Players in the roster bubble

Key examples: Kiana Williams, Phoenix Mercury; Haley Jones, Dallas Wings; Elizabeth Kitley, Golden State ValkyriesThe expansion is already a great advantage for former college stars like Kiana Williams, the Most Outstanding Player of the 2021 Final Four, as she and Jones led Stanford to the NCAA title, who have struggled to establish their professional careers. There will be at least 24 new roster spots in 2026 with the entry into the league of Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo. The roster expansion could create even more opportunities. WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike, told ESPN in May that she considers increasing rosters to 13 or adding an injured list as “incredibly reasonable” options. Not only are larger rosters financially better for marginal players, but they would also get a real opportunity to develop within the context of a specific team’s system. That surpasses the current hardship contracts that force players like Williams to fly across the country at the last minute to join new teams and play immediately.

French star Gabby Williams played only 12 regular season WNBA games in 2024, joining Seattle after the Paris Olympics.

International Players

Key examples: Gabby Williams, Seattle Storm; Emma Meesseman, New York Liberty; Satou Sabally, Phoenix Mercury Prioritization is the most important thing for Gabby Williams and other international stars. The rule that requires players to show up at the start of training camp almost ruled out Williams for the 2023 season, she was only eligible due to a concussion suffered during the French finals, and prevented her from joining the WNBA until after the Paris 2024 Olympics. When Williams finally enjoyed a full season in the WNBA in 2025, she was chosen as an All-Star for the first time. Now that she plays for Turkish Fenerbahce, showing up on time shouldn’t be a problem, but if the league seeks exclusivity, that could create more difficult decisions for international players. The league could also seek to prevent players from joining national teams for competitions outside the Olympic Games and the FIBA World Cup, a problem for continental championships that do not include USA Basketball.

Unrivaled co-founders Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier also serve as vice presidents of the WNBA executive committee.WNBA executive committee members with interest in other leaguesKey examples: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx; Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty; Nneka Ogwumike, Seattle Storm Three of the seven players on the WNBPA’s executive committee have involvement in other leagues. Collier and Stewart, who are vice presidents of the committee, are co-founders of Unrivaled, the 3-on-3 league that played its inaugural season earlier this year and offers an average six-figure salary to the top WNBA talent. Ogwumike, the WNBPA president, has just signed a contract with Project B, a 5-on-5 league that is supposed to start next winter and will have a format similar to Formula 1 in which teams tour Europe and Asia. The three players insist that their respective leagues do not compete with the WNBA and that there is no conflict of interest when it comes to their ability to negotiate the new CBA. They say they need the WNBA to succeed as much as everyone else. However, if Unrivaled continues to be successful and if Project B can take off, this trio will not need the WNBA as much as the players who are not invited to play in these leagues, which are targeting the best WNBA players. There is also the question of what would happen if prioritization becomes a point of conflict in the negotiations. Would they be willing to walk away from leagues that offer them such high incomes?

Sparks forward Dearica Hamby has two children, an 8-year-old daughter, Maya, and a 2-year-old son, Legend.

Players with children

Key examples: Dearica Hamby, Los Angeles Sparks; Skylar Diggins, Seattle Storm The current CBA saw some of the biggest advancements for parents and pregnant players in the league. It ensured that new parents received their full salary during parental leave, whereas they were only guaranteed half before, and also gave them a childcare stipend, workplace accommodations for breastfeeding, and at least a two-bedroom apartment for players with children. The family planning benefits are currently available only to players with eight or more years in the WNBA. It is important for players to extend these protections and benefits.

Kelsey Mitchell, Fever star, earned $249,244 last season as the WNBA’s highest-paid player.

Star Players with Lower Off-Court Earnings

Key examples: Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever; Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix Mercury; Brionna Jones, Atlanta Dream; Natasha Howard, Indiana Fever

Mitchell was the highest-paid WNBA player last year ($249,244 in annual income), but unlike other players who are near the maximum salary, such as A’ja Wilson, Mitchell does not have the off-court brand and sponsorship deals to give her large supplementary income. Because of this, she does not have the same financial flexibility as others who earn more off the court to accept a lower salary and allow more players to join her team. Mitchell and Thomas received the core designation, which allows players to sign a one-year qualifying offer with the highest possible WNBA salary, but prevents them from signing with another team as free agents. During the latest CBA negotiations, the maximum number of times a player can be core was reduced from three years to two. Now there is a possibility that it will go down again. If that is the case, Mitchell and Thomas would not be eligible for that tag, which would likely give them more control over their future.

JuJu Watkins will miss the 2025-26 women’s college basketball season after suffering an ACL tear in March 2025. She has two years of college eligibility remaining.

Future WNBA Players

Key examples: JuJu Watkins, USC Trojans, Flau’jae Johnson, LSU Tigers; Sarah Strong, UConn Huskies; Lauren Betts, UCLA BruinsCurrent college players are not technically represented at the negotiating table, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t watching closely how these negotiations unfold. Young players like Clark, Reese, and Bueckers helped catalyze this moment of tremendous growth for the WNBA, and there are a ton of stars behind them who will help continue that momentum. How will the new CBA and playing in the WNBA be for the next generation of stars? How much will rookies’ salaries increase under the new agreement? Another matter to be determined is whether the eligibility rules for the draft will change. Currently, college players can declare early for the draft if they turn 22 in that calendar year, while international prospects must be at least 20 years old. If both sides relax those requirements, that would impact top-tier talents like Watkins and Strong.