League Issues Firm Deadline (Image Credits: Pixabay)
The WNBA warned its players’ union last week that negotiators must reach a framework for a new collective bargaining agreement by March 10 to prevent disruptions to the 2026 season.[1][2]
League Issues Firm Deadline
Officials delivered the message during a virtual bargaining session on February 23. More than 50 players joined the call alongside union leaders, league staff, and owners.[2] The timeline stems from pressing offseason needs. An agreement would clear the path for two expansion drafts, free agency involving 80 percent of players, and training camps set to open April 19.[1]
Regular-season tipoff remains scheduled for May 8. Yet ratification could take weeks even after a term sheet emerges. Negotiations already prompted two extensions of the prior deal. The league released its 2026 schedule last month despite the uncertainty.[2]
Revenue Sharing Dominates Standoff
Discussions have dragged for 16 to 18 months since the union opted out of the 2020 CBA. Revenue sharing emerged as the core dispute. Players seek a slice of gross revenue, while the league prefers sharing net proceeds after expenses.[1]
The union’s latest counteroffer, sent late last Friday, proposed an average 26 percent of gross revenue over the deal’s term. That marked a concession from 27.5 percent floated earlier in February. It paired with a $9.5 million salary cap for 2026. The league countered with 70 percent of net revenue and a $5.65 million cap that year.[3]
| Proposal Element | WNBPA Offer | WNBA Offer |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Share | 26% gross (avg) | 70% net |
| 2026 Salary Cap | $9.5 million | $5.65 million |
| Avg. Salary 2026 | Not specified | $540,000 |
Housing drew further adjustments from players. Their new plan covers all athletes initially but phases it out for those earning 75 percent of the maximum salary. The league’s February 20 proposal projected average salaries climbing to $780,000 by 2031.[1]
Players Voice Frustration and Divisions
A union meeting the following day grew heated. Participants described it as spirited yet tough. Some shifted away from earlier strike support despite 93 percent authorizing action in December.[3] Las Vegas Aces center Kiah Stokes captured the mood. “The league refused to negotiate in good faith for the last 18 months,” she posted on Instagram. “Now tryna speed (expletive) up so we sign whatever.”[1]
Stokes later told reporters the process proved frustrating. “We want to play, we don’t want to strike if we don’t have to,” she said.[1] WNBPA vice president Kelsey Plum struck a more optimistic note. She called the league’s revenue framework a significant win that ties pay to growth. “A strike would be the worst thing for both sides,” Plum noted.[4]
- Nearly a dozen agents urged the union for transparency in a letter signed by representatives of stars like A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart.[3]
- Players confirmed 2025 revenue triggered sharing under the old CBA, plus $9.25 million in licensing funds.[1]
- Expansion teams Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo await drafts.[2]
High Stakes for League’s Momentum
Failure to meet the deadline threatens rookie and expansion drafts. Preseason games start April 25. The standoff follows a breakthrough year. Last season’s supermax reached $249,000 amid rising popularity.[1]
Both sides exchanged proposals through February. The league deemed an earlier union offer unrealistic, citing potential team losses in the hundreds of millions.[1]
Key Takeaways
- March 10 marks the target for a CBA term sheet to safeguard the May 8 opener.
- Revenue model pits gross against net shares, with salary caps diverging sharply.
- Players made concessions on revenue and housing but remain split on striking.
A resolution would fuel the WNBA’s surge, ensuring smooth expansion and fairer pay. Delays could stall that progress. What steps should the league and union take next? Share your thoughts in the comments.
