The Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) recently submitted a new counterproposal to the WNBA, marking a significant development in the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations. This latest offer from the players' union includes several concessions aimed at bridging the gap between the two sides, particularly concerning revenue share and player housing.

Key among the WNBPA's revised terms is a request for players to receive 26% of gross revenue—defined as revenue before deducting expenses—over the duration of the agreement. This represents a reduction from their prior proposal of 27.5% of gross revenue, initially put forth on February 17. According to sources familiar with the negotiations, this adjustment alone accounts for nearly $100 million in reductions on revenue share. Despite this concession, the proposed salary cap for Year 1 of the new deal, approximately $9.5 million, remains unchanged from the WNBPA's earlier offer.

Further adjustments were made to the union's housing proposals. Previously, the WNBPA had requested that teams continue to provide housing for players in the initial years of the new deal, with an exemption for players making at least 80% of the maximum salary, on multiyear deals, and receiving full salary protection in later years. The new counterproposal streamlines this by striking the 'multiyear component' and lowering the salary threshold to 75% for players who would no longer be obligated to receive team-provided housing. This change aims to simplify the housing structure while still addressing player needs.

Another area of negotiation involves developmental players, a new feature of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) which allocates two developmental player spots per team. The WNBPA is now proposing a six-year limit on service for these players, a shift from their initial stance of no experience limit. This proposal contrasts with the league's latest suggestion of a four or five-year service limit, depending on minutes played, highlighting another point of contention between the parties.

The WNBPA's counterproposal follows a proposal submitted by the WNBA a week prior, on February 20. The league's offer guaranteed housing for all players in 2026, with a phased approach to its removal in subsequent years. Specifically, players on applicable minimum salaries and those with zero years of service would receive a one-bedroom apartment in 2027 and 2028 only, while developmental players would be provided studio apartments for the entirety of the deal.

Despite these exchanges, a significant chasm persists in revenue sharing methodologies. The WNBA has consistently proposed a system where players would receive, on average, over 70% of net revenue (revenue after deducting expenses), which would equate to less than 15% of gross revenue. This is a stark difference from the WNBPA's demand for a direct percentage of gross revenue.

Under the league's proposal, the 2026 salary cap would increase to $5.65 million, up from $1.5 million in 2025, with subsequent annual growth tied to overall revenue. Furthermore, the league projects maximum salaries, inclusive of revenue sharing payouts, to reach nearly $1.3 million in 2026 and approach $2 million by 2031, significantly up from the 2025 supermax of $249,000. The average player salary, incorporating revenue sharing, is projected to reach $540,000 in 2026 and $780,000 by 2031, a substantial increase from $120,000 in 2025.

Publicly, the WNBA has described the WNBPA's previous proposal as