On Monday, the WNBA told the WNBPA that a new collective bargaining agreement must be signed by March 10 to start the season on time.
According to ESPN, the two sides — the WNBA league office representing ownership and the players’ union representing current athletes — held a virtual negotiating session this week involving more than 50 players. During that call, league officials made clear that without at least a framework for a new deal by early March. There wouldn’t be enough time to complete essential offseason business and still hit the league’s planned May 8 opening night.
Key Things Need to Happen
The league’s warning comes from the compressed schedule required to prepare for the upcoming season. Before games can tip off, several labor-dependent things must happen, including:
- Free agency involves the majority of league players, many of whom will be unrestricted free agents this offseason.
- An expansion draft for the league’s two new franchises entering in 2026.
- The WNBA Draft for graduating college stars.
- Organized training camps and final roster construction.
The WNBA recently offered the WNBPA a guarantee of team-provided housing for all players in 2026. Before phasing it out to only specific players (minimum salary or 0 years of service) in 2027-2028. The offer maintains a $5.65M salary cap for 2026 and a 70% net revenue-sharing rate.
Key Details of the Recent Offer (Feb 2026):
- Housing Concession: The league began providing housing for all players in 2026. However, this is reduced in 2027 and 2028 to only players on minimum salaries or with zero years of service, and expires for the full roster after 2028.
- Salary and Revenue: The WNBA did not increase its previous salary cap offer. Holding at $5.65 million per year in 2026, which rises with league revenues.
- Earnings Potential: The proposal projects a maximum base salary of $1 million, with revenue sharing potentially raising total player earnings to over $1.3 million by 2026 and to nearly $2 million by 2031.
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