In a historic financial milestone for women’s professional basketball, the WNBA generated enough revenue in 2025 to trigger its revenue-sharing clause for the first time. The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) confirmed on Monday, February 23, 2026, that approximately $8 million will be dispersed to players across the 13 teams that competed last season.
A Financial Milestone: Breaking the Threshold
Since the 2020 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) was signed, revenue sharing was considered a distant goal due to steep growth targets. However, the 2025 season proved to be the league’s definitive breakout year.
- The Payout: Out of a total shared revenue pool of $16 million allocated to the players’ side, $8 million will go directly to 2025 active players. The remaining $8 million is designated for league marketing agreements.
- Licensing Windfall: In addition to shared revenue, the WNBPA is distributing $9.25 million from licensing deals (jerseys, trading cards, video games) accumulated since 2020. Individual players could receive up to $50,000 based on their tenure.
- Economic Growth: The trigger indicates that the league successfully surpassed revenue targets that compounded at 20% annually since 2019, overcoming the setbacks of the pandemic years.
The Labor Crisis: 2026 Season at Risk
Despite the financial success, the league is currently in a state of uncertainty. The 2020 CBA officially expired in January, and negotiations for a new deal have reached a stalemate.
| Issue | WNBPA Proposal | WNBA League Proposal |
| Revenue Calculation | Gross Revenue (Total money in) | Net Revenue (After operating costs) |
| Revenue Share | 27.5% of Gross Revenue | 70% of Net Revenue |
| 2026 Salary Cap | $9.5 Million | $5.65 Million |