Latest CBA proposal for the WNBA raises salaries to over $1 million

WNBA Collective Bargaining Update

The WNBA Players Association chose to step away from the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the league last October, and since then, talks have been ongoing. With the approaching deadline of October 31, 2025, both parties have decided to extend negotiations until November 30 to find common ground. At that time, the league had yet to fully meet players’ requests for increased salaries and a better revenue-sharing framework. Now, with just over a week until the new deadline, the league’s latest proposal seems to be the most favorable so far.

This latest offer, as reported by the Associated Press, sets the maximum salary in the WNBA at around $1.1 million per season. While this figure is the highest achievable for top players, it’s fairly close to what was available under the previous salary cap for all players. The minimum salary would be around $220,000, roughly in line with previous contracts. Average salary figures, including a rough $460,000 annually, are also scheduled to increase yearly.

Reportedly, the new proposal includes guaranteed revenue sharing between the league and the players, although specifics on how this will function remain unclear. The current CBA offered a revenue-sharing model contingent upon achieving specific, undisclosed league goals, leaving players uncertain about when they might see their revenue share.

While the new offer closely aligns with what the players were hoping for, acceptance hinges largely on the details of the revenue sharing. As ESPN points out, there hasn’t been any public feedback from the players’ association about this proposal yet.

There are additional negotiation points beyond just salary, like ensuring charter flights become a permanent part of the CBA, along with discussions about health benefits, retirement plans, and non-compete regulations. Moreover, with the emergence of new leagues like Unrivaled and Project B, there’s talk of easing the salary cap, akin to the NBA’s structure, and creating standardized care models for player recovery and training facilities.

Time is definitely a consideration, as noted by ESPN. There’s little leeway for finalizing a new contract that won’t disrupt the WNBA schedule. The draft lottery is set for November 23, but if no agreement is reached by November 30, other offseason activities could face delays. With new teams, such as the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire, set to join, everything needs to be sorted before free agency kicks off. It’s worth noting that a significant portion of players have contracts set to expire, creating a potentially chaotic free agency period. Business operations are already being impacted as sponsors and partners are hesitant to renew contracts amidst the ongoing labor dispute. Traditionally, the draft follows shortly after the NCAA tournament, leading directly into training camp and the season.

Nonetheless, the players seem poised to hold out until they secure favorable contracts. They recognize the importance of their role in the league’s growth and are prepared to stand firm until the right deal surfaces. With competitors like Unrivaled and Project B striving to provide players with better financial opportunities, the WNBA faces increasing pressure to respond adequately.