The WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) have entered a critical phase in collective bargaining negotiations. Despite a previously identified “target date” of March 10 passing without a formal agreement, both sides are continuing to trade proposals in an effort to finalize a deal that will allow the league’s 30th season to begin as scheduled on May 8.
Current Status of Negotiations
- Marathon Sessions: Following a 12-hour bargaining session that concluded early Wednesday morning, negotiators resumed discussions Wednesday afternoon and continued late into a second consecutive night.
- Movement Reported: While no formal agreement has been reached, representatives from both sides have indicated that the talks are productive. WNBPA executive committee member Nneka Ogwumike told reporters, “We’re feeling movement,” emphasizing the players’ commitment to the process and their desire to play the upcoming season.
- The “Deadline” Context: While the league previously indicated that March 10 was a target date to ensure the 2026 season schedule—including expansion drafts for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, free agency, and the collegiate draft—remains on track, this date has been treated as fluid. Both parties are under significant pressure to finalize a deal to avoid delaying training camps, which are scheduled for April 19.
Key Sticking Points
The standoff, which has persisted for over 17 months, primarily centers on the league’s financial model and working conditions:
- Revenue Sharing: This remains the most significant hurdle. The WNBPA is seeking a model that ties player compensation more directly to the league’s explosive growth. The union has most recently proposed a share of approximately 26% of gross revenue over the life of the deal. Conversely, the league has pushed for a model based on net revenue, offering players a share of approximately 70% of net revenue alongside a salary cap of $5.75 million.
- Player Housing: Providing league-funded housing for all players has been a non-negotiable priority for the union, a benefit the league removed from its proposals early in the negotiation process.
The Path Forward
Once a verbal “term sheet” is finalized, the agreement must undergo a formal ratification process, which includes approval from the WNBA Board of Governors and a majority vote from the players. Industry experts estimate that even after a handshake deal is reached, formalizing the new CBA could take several weeks.
The league’s internal calendar remains extremely tight. If a deal is not reached imminently, the league risks delaying critical offseason operations, including the expansion draft for the league’s two newest franchises and a massive free agency period involving over 100 players.