Ongoing CBA Negotiations

Since the end of the 2025 WNBA season, the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) are still at odds over a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). They  set a deadline for January 9th, 2026 to finalize the new deal (this was  their third extension). WNBA All-stars Nneka Ogwumike (Seattle Storm) and Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx) serve as WNBPA president and vice president, respectively, and Cathay Engelbert has served as WNBA Commissioner since 2019. As tensions between both sides persist with no deal, the league and player’s union have entered a stage of “status quo,” where negotiations will continue, and a work stoppage (a potential boycott/strike) can be declared at any time.

The WNBPA has accused the WNBA of “jeopardizing the livelihoods of players and the trust and investment of fans, all in the name of preserving regressive provisions that no longer belong in women’s basketball.” The WNBA responded that their “priority is a deal that significantly increases player salaries, enhances the overall player experience, and supports the long-term growth of the league for current and future generations of players and fans.” However, as negotiations continue it begs the question if the players are the league’s priority, why have they been unable to reach a deal with the player’s union and why are so many players unhappy with the current framework.. 

For context, in January of 2020, the WNBA and WNBPA (formerly the players’ union) agreed to a collective bargaining agreement, which included a more flexible free agency system,  greater benefits for players and their families, and significant salary increases. This deal also included  a new system called “prioritization,” which requires players to put the WNBA season ahead of their overseas commitments or potentially risk suspension if they are late to training camp. This is a big ask from a league where roughly 50% of their players play overseas in the off-season to supplement their low salaries in the WNBA. So, as you can imagine the players were not exactly fond of this addendum, but agreed to the deal due to the other more favorable changes like increased salaries and benefits.

Last year, the launch of the Unrivaled league, founded by WNBA superstars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, offered a lucrative alternative to overseas play for WNBA players during the off season. Unlike the WNBA, Unrivaled offered a 6-figure salary average, equity in the league, and 50% of revenue shares. In addition, the league offered tons of amenities and benefits to players, many of which the players had been advocating for in their CBA negotiations.

During last year’s WNBA All-Star game in Indianapolis, many players wore T-shirts with the words”Pay Us What You Owe Us” written out across the front. Both Collier and Ogwumike have lauded how united the players are right now and have maintained that they are not going to accept a bad deal. This unity was especially apparent after Collier’s exit interview from the WNBA semifinals when she alleged that the WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelberty told her in a private conversation that Caitlin and Clark and other young superstars “should be on their knees” in gratitude for the platform the league has given them. Despite calls for her resignation, Engelbert has denied these statements, and has maintained that she has the players’ best interests at heart.

In a recent interview with ESPN, Ogwumike and Collier described the negotiations with the league as “disappointing.” Ogwumike said that their fight is about more than money or headlines, but for players to be “well-represented and valued.” Collier agreed, stating that the league’s tone throughout the negotiations has been “dismissive and very disrespectful.” The WNBPA is negotiating for over a year to instill a “new salary system that is tied to a meaningful share of the revenue.” (Click here to read the full interview).

The WNBA season typically starts in mid-May, but with the CBA negotiations still ongoing the exact date has yet to be confirmed. With no deal on the horizon and high potential for delays, it is unclear what will happen with the upcoming WNBA season.

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