The retired 11-time All-Star said she believes the deal leaves the league in a better place than where she left it
Diana Taurasi spent 20 years fighting for a league that just secured the most significant labor deal in its history.
Taurasi, who retired as a three-time WNBA champion and 11-time All-Star, reacted Thursday to news that the WNBA and Women's National Basketball Players Association had reached a tentative agreement on a new seven-year Collective Bargaining Agreement.
"The WNBA has gone through a long journey over the last 30 years," Taurasi told The Spun. "There's a lot of hard work, grit, perseverance and determination. This is just another milestone for women's sports. It's nice to see the WNBA in a better place than where you left it."
The deal raises the salary cap from $1.5 million in 2025 to $7.0 million in 2026. Maximum salaries will start at $1.4 million, compared to $249,244 last season. Every player in the league will earn a minimum of $270,000 to $300,000 in 2026 based on years of service, with those figures rising through 2032.
Taurasi entered the league in 2004 as the No. 1 overall pick. The players who came before this deal — who never saw anything close to these salaries — are the ones who made it possible.
The landmark deal creates the first revenue-sharing model in women's professional sports. Average salaries are projected to reach $583,000 in 2026 and exceed $1 million by 2032.
Charter flights are now guaranteed for every team — a $300 million commitment over the seven-year term. New facility standards and expanded medical staffing are also part of the deal. Retired players get one-time recognition payments tied to years of service: $100,000 for 12 or more years, $50,000 for eight to 11, and $30,000 for five to seven.
Engelbert spoke shortly after the deal was struck.
"The progress made in these discussions marks a transformative step forward for players and the league," Engelbert said. "It's underscoring a shared commitment to the continued growth of the game."
She also brought up May.
"It's been a process, but we're very proud to be leading in women's sports, and these players are amazing, and we're going to have an amazing 30th season tipping off in May," she said.
WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike, a 10-time All-Star who participated in the bargaining sessions, said the players delivered on what they promised.
"We're just really grateful to be able to come to a deal," Ogwumike said. "We're proud of ourselves. And quite frankly, we always told you all we were going to stand on business, and that's what this looks like."
The new CBA is the sixth in WNBA history. The previous agreement was reached in 2020. The full terms are expected to reflect the league's recent surge in growth, viewership, and overall popularity.
The deal is pending ratification by players and the league's Board of Governors. The WNBA's 30th season is scheduled to tip off in May.