Key Takeaways
- WNBA collective bargaining agreement talks are ongoing in New York, focusing on a new labor contract before the 2026 season.
- Negotiators have held lengthy sessions, totaling nearly 40 hours, with progress reported but no final agreement reached yet.
- The league proposed a salary cap starting at $6.2 million, with average player salaries increasing from about $570,000 to nearly $850,000 over six years.
- Revenue sharing remains a key issue, as the league favors net revenue while the players’ union supports gross revenue calculations.
- Upcoming league events, including the start of the 2026 season and an expansion draft, depend on finalizing these negotiations.
WNBA collective bargaining agreement talks continued this week in New York between the league and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association. Negotiators from both sides held multiple meetings to discuss a new labor contract before the start of the 2026 season. The previous agreement had expired, making the current negotiations important for league operations. Officials confirmed that discussions are ongoing and that both sides are working toward a new deal.
Lengthy Negotiations During WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement Talks
The WNBA collective bargaining agreement talks included several long negotiating sessions. One meeting lasted about 16 hours and ended around 3 a.m. Eastern Time. Participants returned later that same morning to continue discussions.
In total, negotiations have lasted close to 40 hours since the talks began earlier in the week. League officials and union representatives remain in active discussions as they try to resolve remaining issues. Reports from the meetings indicate that some progress has been made, although a final agreement has not yet been reached.
Salary Structure Proposed in WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement Talks
The league presented a financial proposal during the WNBA collective bargaining agreement talks. The offer includes a salary cap starting at about $6.2 million in the first year of the new agreement. The cap would increase gradually throughout the term of the contract.
Under the proposal, the average player salary could begin near $570,000. The average salary could rise to around $850,000 by the sixth year of the deal. Maximum salaries for top players could also increase. The proposal suggests that the highest salaries could begin around $1.3 million and reach nearly $2 million by the final year of the agreement.
Revenue Sharing Remains Key Issue in WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement Talks
Revenue distribution remains the primary issue in the WNBA collective bargaining agreement talks. The league prefers a system based on net revenue. This approach calculates the players’ share after operating expenses are deducted.
The players’ union supports a model based on gross revenue. That structure calculates the share before expenses are removed. The difference between these two approaches has slowed progress in negotiations.
Upcoming League Events Depend on WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement Talks
Several upcoming league events depend on the outcome of the WNBA collective bargaining agreement talks. The 2026 WNBA season is scheduled to begin on May 8. League officials want a finalized agreement before that date.
Other events are also approaching. An expansion draft involving new teams in Portland and Toronto is scheduled for early April. Free agency and player signings are expected to follow. Negotiators from both sides continue to meet as they attempt to finalize the new agreement.