WNBA and WNBPA Engage in Lengthy Negotiations
The WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) met for almost 12 hours in Midtown Manhattan to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement, with discussions beginning at 5 p.m. ET and concluding around 5 a.m. ET.
Players left the meeting around 3 a.m. ET after nearly 10 hours of discussions. WNBPA Executive Director Terri Jackson described the negotiations as “going in the right direction,” while WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert noted the complexity of the negotiations, emphasizing the goal of a “win-win deal” for both parties.
The league has proposed a salary cap of $5.75 million for 2026, a significant increase from the $1.5 million cap in 2025. This proposal comes as the average player salary, including revenue sharing, is projected to reach $540,000 in 2026.
Historically, players opted out of the previous collective bargaining agreement in October 2024 to advocate for a revenue-sharing structure that would tie their salaries to the league’s financial performance. This move reflects a growing demand for equitable compensation in professional women’s sports.
As the 2026 WNBA season is scheduled to begin on May 8, the urgency for a resolution is palpable. However, details remain unconfirmed, as no deal appears imminent following the latest negotiations. The exact terms of the proposals exchanged between the league and the players’ union have not been disclosed, leaving observers awaiting further developments.
