Women's National Basketball Association players are on the verge of securing what could be the most transformative collective bargaining agreement in the league's history, with a new proposal reportedly featuring a maximum salary surpassing $1.1 million.
Substantial Financial Increases Proposed
According to sources familiar with the ongoing negotiations, the WNBA's latest offer represents a highly lucrative package designed to bring discussions to a swift conclusion. The proposal would see the maximum salary exceed $1.1 million, available to more than one player per team, with these figures growing annually throughout the agreement.
The league's minimum salary would also see a dramatic rise, set to be more than $220,000, creating an average player salary of over $460,000. These substantial increases would benefit more than 180 players from the first year of the new deal and continue to climb over the length of the CBA.
Road to a Revolutionary Agreement
The current collective bargaining agreement was originally set to expire on 31 October, but both the WNBA and the players' union agreed to extend negotiations until 30 November. This extension allows additional time to finalise a deal that players hope will be revolutionary for the sport.
Players exercised their right to opt out of the current CBA last year, pushing for several key improvements including increased revenue sharing, higher salaries, enhanced benefits, and a more flexible salary cap. This isn't the first time negotiations have required extra time; when the previous CBA expired in 2019, both sides agreed to a 60-day extension before eventually ratifying an agreement in January 2020.
Optimism for a Transformational Outcome
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert expressed strong optimism about reaching a landmark agreement. Speaking before the 2025 All-Star Game in July, Engelbert stated she was "still really optimistic that we'll get something done that would be transformational".
She further expressed hope that by the 2026 All-Star Game, everyone would be discussing how successful the new CBA had become. League officials have kept the board updated on the latest proposal during recent meetings, though negotiations remain private.
The inclusion of revenue sharing in the proposal addresses one of the players' primary demands, potentially creating a more sustainable financial model for athletes in women's professional basketball. As the 30 November deadline approaches, both sides appear motivated to secure an agreement that could reshape the future of the WNBA.
