Breanna Stewart discusses challenges in CBA talks with the WNBA

WNBA’s 2026 Season at Risk Without New Agreement

The upcoming 2026 WNBA season has the chance to be groundbreaking, but it hinges on the completion of a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the league and the players. Without a deal, the season—set to begin on May 8—may not start on time, or perhaps even at all.

A recent meeting between the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) established a March 10 deadline for an agreement. Unfortunately, the two sides have yet to find common ground after prolonged discussions.

Brianna Stewart, a key player for the New York Liberty and a vice president of the WNBPA, expressed optimism that both parties want the season to proceed. Still, she acknowledged uncertainty about meeting the deadline.

“I don’t know,” she said after reflecting for a moment. “I would like to be optimistic, but it feels like progress is slow.” She added that major developments might occur soon, though she wasn’t sure what to expect.

The WNBA recently provided a counterproposal aimed at alleviating certain player concerns, proposing to cover housing expenses for the upcoming season. However, Stewart highlighted a critical obstacle: agreement on the revenue-sharing model. This has been a contentious issue between the league and players, especially following the tensions of the last season.

“We can’t seem to find common ground on how to share revenue,” Stewart remarked. She explained that the Players Association is advocating for a model based on gross revenue, while the league favors one based on basketball-specific revenue, which complicates negotiations.

The Players Association’s proposal suggested an average of 27.5% of the league’s total revenue, which the league deems unsustainable, claiming it could lead to significant financial losses. Stewart pointed out that the league’s offer gives players over 70% of net revenue, though that also involves costs such as team facilities and travel.

Last year, players actively advocated for their rights, even donning shirts that read “Pay Us What You Owe Us” during the WNBA All-Star Game. Caitlin Clark, a standout player for the Indiana Fever, labeled the current CBA negotiations as the league’s “biggest moment in history.” Many players share this sentiment.

As the deadline approaches, players, including Stewart, recognize the urgency of reaching an agreement. It’s vital for the growth of women’s basketball and enhancing viewership and engagement. The 2025 WNBA season saw record attendance with 2.5 million fans over 226 games, but was limited to only 13 teams.

Additionally, ESPN reported that WNBA regular season games attracted an average of 1.3 million viewers, reflecting a 6% increase from the previous year. The postseason also set a record with an average of 1.2 million viewers, the highest ever on ESPN.

On a broader scale, the WNBA has secured an 11-year media rights deal valued at $2.2 billion, engaging networks like NBCUniversal, ESPN, Prime Video, and USA Network.

Stewart believes that if the parties can finalize an agreement for the 2026 season, it could be a landmark year. “It’s about various factors: finalizing the significant television deal and the addition of two new teams in Portland and Toronto. Free agency will be intriguing too, as players stand to earn more than ever before,” she noted.