The WNBA and its players' union (WNBPA) are engaged in critical negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), with the league recently submitting its latest proposal. This offer, confirmed on a Friday evening following a three-hour meeting at NBA offices on Monday, came after a more than six-week wait for the players association's counter to its last offer, made around Christmas time. WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike has expressed confidence that games will be played in 2026, stating that players "100% want to play this year" and desire a full season, despite acknowledging significant work remains before the season's scheduled May 8 start.

A central point of contention in these negotiations is the revenue sharing model. The league has proposed that players receive, on average, over 70% of net revenue, defined as revenue after deducting various expenses such as upgraded facilities, charter flights, five-star hotels, medical services, security, and arenas. Conversely, the players have advocated for approximately 30% of gross revenue, which is money generated before any expenses are paid. The union believes the league's proposal equates to less than 15% of gross revenue.

Specific financial figures illustrate the gap between the two sides. Under the league's previous proposal, the maximum base salary for a player could reach $1 million in 2026, potentially increasing to $1.3 million through revenue sharing and nearly $2 million over the life of the agreement, a significant jump from the current $249,000 supermax in 2025. The league also proposed a $5.65 million salary cap for 2026, growing in subsequent years with revenue, and projected average player salaries, including revenue sharing, to reach $540,000 in 2026 and $780,000 by 2031, up from $120,000 in 2025. The players, however, have proposed a $10.5 million salary cap. The league projected that the union's plan would result in $700 million in losses over the course of the agreement, potentially jeopardizing its financial health, a claim the union dismisses as "absolutely false," citing differences in how expansion fees are factored into calculations.

The league's latest proposal did include some concessions regarding housing and facility standards, areas emphasized by players in Monday's pivotal bargaining session. Specifically, players on applicable minimum salaries and those with zero years of service would receive a one-bedroom apartment for the first three years of the new deal, while developmental players would be provided studio apartments. This marks a shift, as the league had not previously included housing provisions in its offers, though WNBA teams have been required to provide housing since the first CBA in 1999, either as a one-bedroom apartment or a stipend.

Beyond the latest housing concessions, previous proposals and discussions outlined other areas where the league was willing to make changes. These include adding two developmental player slots to teams, granting pregnant players the right to refuse trades, increasing the number of guaranteed contracts per team, codifying charter flights and other first-class travel considerations, eliminating marijuana testing, increasing team contributions to players' 401(k) retirement accounts, new team staffing requirements, and a recognition payment for current retirees.

The ongoing delays in reaching a new CBA have already impacted the league's calendar, postponing the expansion draft for new teams in Toronto and Portland. Crucial pre-season activities such as free agency, which was supposed to begin last month, and the rookie draft are also stalled. With a massive salary raise expected in a new CBA, approximately 80% of players in the league are free agents this offseason, making this the biggest opportunity for player movement in WNBA history. Any further delays could hurt both sides, leading to lost revenue, sponsorships, television money, and fan support from missed games.

Despite the delays, Ogwumike, in her third term as union president, noted that the six-week wait provided the union leadership with a "gift of time" to engage in extensive discussions with WNBA players. While players voted in December to give union leadership the right to strike, Ogwumike has stated that a strike is not imminent, emphasizing that the union is "negotiating in good faith" and many more conversations are needed before such a drastic measure would be considered. WNBPA leadership is expected to meet in the coming days to thoroughly review the WNBA's new proposal.