WNBA and players union have reached
an agreement in principle on a transformational new CBA
[March 18, 2026]
By DOUG FEINBERG
NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA and its players’ union reached an agreement
in principle on a transformational new collective bargaining
agreement early Wednesday morning.
Specifics still need to be finalized over the next few weeks as
lawyers on both sides work on the new CBA. A term sheet should be
done in the next day or two. It will then need to be ratified by the
players and then approved by the league’s Board of Governors.
“I just want to say we have aligned on key elements of a new
collective bargaining agreement together. We still need to finalize
a formal term sheet, but the progress made in these discussions
marks a transformative step forward for players and the league,”
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said. “It underscores a shared
commitment to the continued growth of the game. So, we’ll share
additional details as they become available.”
The deal is expected to greatly increase player salaries with
million dollar players — a first for the league entering its 30th
season that will start on time. That would increase salaries
fourfold from last season.
“For the first time player salaries are tied to a truly meaningful
share of league revenue, driving exponential growth in the salary
cap, increasing average compensation beyond half a million dollars
and raising the standard across facilities, staffing and support,”
union president Nneka Ogwumike said.
The agreement is set to reflect the league's skyrocketing growth and
popularity. Attendance, viewership and investment from stakeholders
has increased to historic levels over the past few years.
“The deal is going to be transformational,” union vice president
Breanna Stewart said. “It's going to build and help create a system
where everybody is getting exactly what they deserve and more from
on the court and off the court aspects.”
The deal came after the two sides spent the past eight days in
intense in-person negotiations that lasted for more than 100 hours.
They came to the agreement at about 2:20 a.m. Wednesday after
spending more than 10 hours of discussions on Tuesday.
“This is historical for women’s sports. I told Cathy it’s not just
for the players that are entering the league or the players that
aren’t already here,” Ogwumike added. "We’re just really grateful to
be able to come to a deal. We’re proud of ourselves."
[to top of second column] |
Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike (3) plays against the Las Vegas
Aces in Game 2 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game Sept.
24, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
WNBA leadership and the union met with reporters
together in the lobby of a New York hotel shortly before 3 a.m.
The deal comes 17 months after the players opted out of their
previous agreement and five months after the previous deal was
initially set to expire, with talks often becoming contentious.
“We opted out because what we were giving to this league and what we
were getting back didn't match,” union executive committee member
Alysha Clark said. “You could feel the growth everywhere, but it
wasn't showing up for the players the way it should. So we stayed
with it until it did.”
Revenue sharing has been the biggest hurdle over the course of the
negotiations. Other key issues that were slowing down getting a deal
done included housing and franchise tags on players.
“I hope young girls and women see this and feel it, to know their
voice matters, their value matters, and they don’t have to settle
for less than that,” said executive committee member Brianna Turner.
"Now, we get back to the game. Back to competing, back to that
feeling, and back to being out there with our fans.”
Now, the league will have a sprint over the next two months to get
to opening day on May 8. An expansion draft for new teams in Toronto
and Portland needs to take place. Also, teams will need to negotiate
with the more than 80% of players who are free agents this
offseason. Training camps are set to open on April 19 — six days
after the college draft.
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