After more than a year of intensive discussions, the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and its players' union have successfully forged a preliminary agreement on a groundbreaking collective bargaining agreement (CBA). This pivotal development signifies a new chapter for the league, promising significant advancements for its athletes and the sport as a whole. The verbal understanding awaits final approval from both the players and the WNBA Board of Governors, after which the details of this historic accord will fully unfold.
WNBA and Players' Association Seal Landmark Collective Bargaining Agreement
In a significant announcement made early on a recent Wednesday morning, the WNBA and its players' union reached a tentative consensus on a new collective bargaining agreement. The news, first broken by Annie Costabile of Front Office Sports, was swiftly followed by confirmation from The Athletic's Mike Vorkunov, who quoted WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert stating that both parties had “aligned on key elements of a new CBA.” Echoing this sentiment, WNBPA Vice President Breanna Stewart described the impending deal as “transformational.”
This momentous agreement arrives eight days after the initial March 10 target date for the season's on-time commencement. Throughout the preceding week, representatives from the league and the union engaged in marathon negotiation sessions in Manhattan, meticulously resolving outstanding issues. These discussions followed a period of “status quo” after a previous deadline extension on January 9, during which a moratorium deal temporarily halted free agency. Face-to-face meetings resumed on February 2, leading to an exchange of proposals even as internal divisions within the player contingent became apparent. The ratification by players and the league's Board of Governors will now set in motion a condensed offseason, including the expansion draft and free agency, in anticipation of the league's 30th season, scheduled to tip off on May 8.
The push for this new CBA began in October 2024 when players opted out of the previous agreement, primarily to champion a revenue-sharing model that would directly link their earnings to the league's financial success. This became their paramount objective, visibly advocated through “Pay Us What You Owe Us” T-shirts worn during the All-Star weekend and sustained throughout the rigorous negotiation period. Commissioner Engelbert had consistently expressed the league's desire for increased player compensation, though the specifics of implementation remained a point of contention. While a revenue-sharing model existed previously, players sought a different structure this time. Notably, 2025 marked the first year in the league's history that it generated sufficient revenue to trigger profit-sharing. Negotiations saw the league propose deals based on net revenue, while the union advocated for gross revenue, including expansion fees.
Key negotiation points also encompassed player prioritization, team-provided housing, comprehensive retirement and family planning benefits, upgraded facility standards, and core player designations. Following two extensions past the initial October 31 deadline, players had overwhelmingly voted in mid-December to authorize the WNBPA executive committee to call a strike if necessary. This agreement successfully averts a potential work stoppage, which would have been unprecedented in the league's history. As the WNBA prepares for its 30th anniversary season in 2026, it now faces a dynamic offseason, with the focus shifting to a two-team expansion draft for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo. The terms of this draft were intricately woven into the collective bargaining process, impacting existing teams' roster preparations. Three additional teams are slated to join the league by the end of the decade. Furthermore, a compressed free agency period looms, promising a frenzy of player movement. With all but two players not on rookie contracts becoming free agents, the new CBA is expected to usher in a period of significant player opportunity and growth for the league.
This new collective bargaining agreement represents a monumental step forward for the WNBA, symbolizing not just improved financial conditions for its athletes but also a deepening partnership between the league and its players. It underscores the growing recognition of women's professional sports and the collective power of athletes to advocate for their rights and shape their professional futures. This agreement could serve as a powerful blueprint for other sports leagues, highlighting the importance of fair revenue-sharing, player welfare, and robust negotiation processes in fostering sustainable growth and equity in professional athletics. The WNBA's commitment to prioritizing its players through this transformative deal will undoubtedly attract more talent, enhance the league's competitive landscape, and elevate its global stature.