The WNBPA made additional concessions in the latest CBA proposal it submitted to the WNBA, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they’re not authorized to speak publicly about ongoing negotiations.
They confirmed the players’ union submitted a counterproposal in response to the WNBA’s Feb. 20 submission. In Friday’s proposal, the WNBPA requested 25% of gross revenue in the first year, increasing over the life of the agreement to an average of roughly 26%. The union’s proposed salary cap remains under $9.5 million.
The latest revenue share request is a reduction from a previous proposal where the WNBPA requested 25% of gross revenue in the first year, increasing over the life of the agreement to an average of roughly 27.5%. According to a person with knowledge of the situation, the reduction would allegedly save the league $100 million over the life of the deal based on the league’s projections.
Friday’s proposal also included changes to the union’s housing requests. It reduced the percentage of the fully guaranteed max salary and cut the length of the contract to one year for players to be ineligible for housing provided by teams.
In a Feb. 17 proposal, the WNBPA advocated for housing to continue in the early years of a player’s career. The union proposed housing could be shed in later years of a contract and be adjusted and phased out with players who make a certain amount of money on a multi-year, fully guaranteed contract.
The WNBPA’s latest proposal comes after the union held a virtual meeting Tuesday, Feb. 24, to discuss the current CBA negotiations and how to proceed, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to USA TODAY.
The conversation, which included at least 30 players on the call, was ‘at times tough, but productive.’ The call ended with the majority of player leadership reaffirming their alignment with a December vote to authorize a strike if necessary, despite a few players changing their minds.
The person also told USA TODAY the ‘consistency’ of calls between players has experienced ‘growth over time’ and is ‘at an all-time high.’ According to the person, players are engaged and asking questions, even with information being distributed quickly. Among the current topics discussed was a March 10 date provided by the league that a term sheet for a new CBA must be completed by to avoid a delay in the start of the 2026 season. Opening day is scheduled for May 8.
According to a person with knowledge of the situation, the March 10 date ‘was not received well’ by players. The source says a point of frustration with the March date was the union waiting nearly six weeks to receive a counterproposal from the WNBA after it submitted a proposal in December.
When is the WNBA CBA deadline?
The WNBA said a term sheet for a new CBA must be completed by March 10, to avoid a delay in the start of the 2026 season. Opening day is scheduled for May 8.
WNBA recent collective bargaining negotiations
The league and WNBPA last met virtually on Feb. 23. On the call were more than 50 WNBA players, including the entire WNBPA executive committee, along with league staff, the labor relations committee and owners as CBA negotiations continue.
It’s worth noting even if an agreement is reached by the March 10 deadline, it could take several weeks to ratify the deal. Additionally, the expansion drafts for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo need to be held along with free agency and the 2026 WNBA Draft before the season can start.
What are the key issues between WNBA players and owners?
Revenue sharing and the salary cap remain the top sticking points. Here is where the two sides stand:
- Revenue sharing: The WNBPA requested 25% of gross revenue in the first year, increasing over the life of the agreement to an average of roughly 27.5%. The WNBA is currently offering more than 70% of league and team net revenue.
- The union also proposed a salary cap of less than $9.5 million. The WNBA is proposing a salary cap of $5.65 million per year, rising with league revenues.
Will WNBA players go on strike?
‘The players have spoken,’ the WNBPA said in a statement obtained by USA TODAY Sports. ‘Through a decisive vote with historic participation, our membership has authorized the WNBPA’s Executive Committee to call a strike when necessary. The players’ decision is an unavoidable response to the state of negotiations with the WNBA and its teams.’
The WNBPA said the strike authorization vote resulted in 98% yes votes with 93% participation among players.
Has WNBA ever had a lockout?
Despite previously tense rounds of collective bargaining between the owners and players’ union, the league has never been forced to cancel games due to a labor dispute. However, the 2003 WNBA draft and preseason were delayed during negotiations.
2026 WNBA season key dates
- May 8: Opening Night
- June 1-June 17: Commissioner’s Cup
- July 24-27: All-Star Weekend (Chicago)
- September 1- September 16: FIBA Break
- September 24: Last day of regular season