WNBA counters with unchanged revenue share offer, sparking player demands for 25% gross revenue. Housing and other concessions emerge amid stalled negotiations.
The WNBA has responded to the players’ union’s latest collective bargaining proposal, but the core financial structure of the league’s offer remains unchanged.
According to FrontOfficeSports, the league submitted a counterproposal Friday night, three days after the WNBPA delivered its most recent terms. While the speed of the response stands out, there was no movement on two of the union’s central demands: revenue sharing and the salary cap.
The league continues to propose a $5.65 million team salary cap, and based on projected revenues, players would not receive more than 15% of total league revenue under the agreement.
By contrast, the WNBPA has sought a 25% share of gross revenue in year one of the deal, averaging 27.5% across the life of the CBA. The union had previously asked for an average exceeding 30% before lowering its request in the latest proposal.
The WNBA has characterized the union’s revenue framework as financially unworkable, stating earlier this week that such a model would result in “hundreds of millions of dollars” in losses for teams.
The league, however, maintains that its current structure would deliver players more than 70% of net revenue — profit after expenses — factoring in investments in facilities, charter travel, medical services, security, and arena operations.
While salary structure remains a sticking point, the league did offer concessions in other areas. Most notably, teams would cover housing for all players in 2026. Beginning in 2027, housing would be guaranteed for players on minimum contracts, rookies in their first season, and two designated developmental players per roster.
Under the proposal, one-bedroom accommodations would eventually phase out after the 2028 season, while studio apartments for eligible players would continue throughout the agreement.
Additionally, the league also increased recognition payments for players with eight or more years of service from $3,000 to $4,500 per year and made modest improvements to its proposed 401(k) plan.
Several major union priorities remain unaddressed, including changes to the season start date and length, adjustments to the core designation rule, rookie scale contract terms, salary protections, mental health reimbursements, and exceptions to the prioritization rule.
The negotiations unfold against a complicated financial backdrop. Ownership of the league is split among NBA owners (42%), WNBA owners (42%), and a 16% outside investor group that entered through a $75 million capital raise in 2022.
The league is also approaching a 10-year, $2.2 billion media rights agreement set to begin in 2026, though it has declined to detail how that revenue will be distributed across ownership groups.
Time pressure is mounting. The 30th WNBA season is scheduled to tip off May 8, but the expansion draft for Toronto and Portland, free agency, and the collegiate draft remain pending. With roughly 80% of players eligible for free agency and substantial salary increases expected in a new deal, this offseason represents an unprecedented moment for player movement.
Absent a breakthrough, delays could impact both sides. Each missed game carries lost revenue, sponsorship exposure, and broadcast inventory.
For now, however, the central divide persists: how the league’s accelerating growth will be shared between ownership and players in the next era of the WNBA.