WNBA and WNBPA Engage in Lengthy Negotiations
The WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) met for almost 12 hours on March 11, 2026, as they continue to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement. The meeting began at 5 p.m. ET and concluded around 5 a.m. ET, with players leaving the session after nearly 10 hours of discussions.
Terri Jackson, the executive director of the WNBPA, described the negotiations as “going in the right direction,” indicating a positive atmosphere during the lengthy talks. Cathy Engelbert, the WNBA commissioner, acknowledged the complexity of the negotiations, stating, “We’re working hard towards a win-win deal like we’ve been saying, transformational deal for these players.”
One of the key proposals on the table includes a salary cap of $5.75 million for the 2026 season, a significant increase from the $1.5 million cap in 2025. This change reflects the players’ push for a revenue-sharing structure that ties their salaries to the league’s financial performance.
In addition to the salary cap, the average player salary, including revenue sharing, is projected to reach $540,000 in 2026. This increase is part of the players’ efforts to secure a more equitable compensation structure.
Historically, players opted out of the previous collective bargaining agreement in October 2024 to advocate for these changes, emphasizing the need for a revenue-sharing model that aligns their earnings with the league’s growth.
The 2026 WNBA season is scheduled to begin on May 8, and both sides are under pressure to finalize the agreement before the start of the season. Engelbert stressed the urgency, saying, “We’ve got to get this deal done. We’ve got to get it done soon.”
Despite the progress reported, details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact terms of the proposals exchanged between the league and the players’ union. Observers are keenly watching to see how the negotiations unfold in the coming weeks.