League and players finalize a groundbreaking CBA, boosting salaries and introducing revenue sharing to secure the WNBA's future.
After months of uncertainty, tension, and missed deadlines, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert confirmed that the league and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association have finally aligned on key elements of a new collective bargaining agreement.
“We have aligned on key elements of a new collective bargaining agreement together,” Engelbert said early Wednesday morning, following more than 100 hours of negotiations in New York.
The timing could not be more significant. With the WNBA’s 30th season set to tip off on May 8, concerns had been growing about a potential delay or even the league’s first-ever work stoppage. This breakthrough, while still pending formal ratification, effectively puts those fears to rest and keeps the 2026 season on track.
Beyond the scheduling relief, the agreement signals a fundamental shift in the league’s financial structure.
According to early reports, the new deal includes a salary cap increase to $7 million, a massive jump from $1.5 million in 2025. The average salary is expected to rise to around $600,000, while the minimum salary will surpass $300,000.
Supermax contracts are projected to reach $1.4 million, marking the first time in league history that players will earn salaries approaching the million-dollar threshold.
However, the most critical development is the introduction of a more meaningful revenue-sharing model.
For months, revenue sharing had been the central sticking point in negotiations. The players pushed for a system tied to gross revenue, while the league proposed a structure based on net revenue.
Additionally, the final framework is expected to land near a 20 percent share across the life of the deal, representing a significant compromise and a historic step forward for player compensation.
Engelbert described the agreement as a “transformational step forward,” emphasizing that both sides remained focused on building a sustainable future for the league while rewarding players in line with its rapid growth.
On the players’ side, the deal is being framed as a direct result of unity and persistence.
WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson called it a moment of “player empowerment,” highlighting how the collective voice of the players shaped the outcome. Union president Nneka Ogwumike pointed to the long-term impact, stating that future generations will enter the league without the financial limitations that defined earlier eras.
Breanna Stewart, one of the most influential voices during negotiations, described the agreement as a system that ensures players receive what they deserve both on and off the court.
The path to this agreement was far from smooth. Negotiations stretched over eight consecutive days in New York, with discussions often running late into the night. Key issues included revenue sharing, salary structure, player benefits, housing standards, and working conditions.
At multiple points, the talks appeared at risk of collapsing, with the possibility of a strike still on the table. In the end, both sides found common ground.
The league will now move toward finalizing a formal term sheet, followed by ratification from both the players and the board of governors. Once completed, attention will quickly shift to the rest of the offseason calendar, including free agency, the expansion draft, and the 2026 WNBA Draft scheduled for April 13.
Training camp is expected to open on April 19, with preseason games beginning shortly after.
For a league that has seen unprecedented growth in recent years, this agreement is more than just a resolution to a labor dispute. It is a structural reset that aligns player compensation with the business of the sport.
And if the early details hold, it may very well define the next era of the WNBA.