The deadline for the WNBA and its players’ union to reach a new collective bargaining agreement is less than a week away, and the WNBPA remained steadfast on Wednesday, March 4 that the league’s current proposal ‘is not worth taking.’
The statement from the players union’s executive committee comes in the wake of an ESPN report that at least two WNBA stars recently expressed ‘serious concerns’ about the players’ own representation and their inability to reach a deal in these prolonged negotiations.
WNBPA executive committee members Kelsey Plum and Breanna Stewart, in a three-page letter sent earlier this week to players’ union executive director Terri Jackson, cited ‘a lack of adequate player involvement in the process’ thus far and warned of the harm a potential work stoppage would do to the league’s financial outlook.
The WNBPA executive committee, in which Plum and Stewart each currently serve in vice president roles, responded by once again publicly backing the negotiating team of Jackson and WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike. The committee also emphasized the union’s ‘nearly unanimous vote in December’ to call a strike if necessary, affirmation provided by a recent player survey, and players’ desire to play basketball in 2026.
‘In every CBA negotiation, the goal of the league and teams is to divide the players. These negotiations are no different,’ the WNBPA executive committee statement read in part. ‘We remain united and focused on delivering a transformational CBA for all members of the Union, and are committed to negotiating for as long as it takes.’
The WNBA notified the WNBPA last month of a March 10 deadline to finish negotiations on a new CBA and still avoid a delay to the season. The 2026 regular season is scheduled to begin on May 8. The league also needs to hold a WNBA draft, conduct free agency with (likely) a new salary cap system, and conduct an expansion draft for its two new teams, the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, before the start of its 30th season.
On Monday, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to USA TODAY that the WNBA submitted a counterproposal to the players’ union on March 1. The proposal was in response to the WNBPA’s Feb. 27 submission.
The league offered to make first- and second-team All-WNBA players on rookie contracts eligible to sign a maximum contract in their fourth year. Those players would not be eligible for a core designation following that extension. A player on a rookie scale contract that earns MVP could similarly be eligible for a supermax deal.
The WNBA’s latest offer also increased the Year 1 salary cap to $5.75 million, up from $1.5 million in 2025. Based on conservative league projections, the salary cap would grow to roughly $8.5 million by 2031 in the final year of this proposed CBA.
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. Revenue sharing, and specifically what percentage of the league’s revenues will filter to the players moving forward, remains a key sticking point.
Plum previously called the WNBA’s latest proposal a ‘significant win’ for the players, despite some additional issues to negotiate and resolve, and then followed up with the letter with Stewart.
‘We have not been meaningfully engaged,’ they wrote, since the WNBA players elected to opt out of their pre-existing CBA and begin negotiations in October 2024.
The WNBPA’s latest response attempted to close those fissures and made clear this labor staredown is not yet over.
‘Despite our differences and tough moments, we must make crystal clear that we are focused, we are resolute, and we are together,’ the WNBPA executive committee said. ‘We want to play basketball in 2026. We want to be in front of our fans playing the game that we love. We will not stop fighting. There is no WNBA without the players.’
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.
The WNBPA held a separate virtual meeting on Feb. 24 to discuss the current CBA negotiations and how to proceed. The call ended with the majority of player leadership reaffirming their alignment with a December vote to authorize a strike if necessary.
It’s worth noting that 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 26%. 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 $5.75 million per year, rising with league revenues it will grow to roughly $8.5 million by 2031.
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
USA TODAY Sports reporter Meghan L. Hall contributed to this story.