As anticipated, the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement came to an end early Saturday morning, and an extension hasn’t been reached. This officially marks the expiration of a contract that had already been extended twice from its original October 31 deadline. Interestingly, neither the WNBA nor its players’ association, the WNBPA, show signs of an immediate work stoppage. Instead, we’re in a sort of limbo where both sides can negotiate under the existing terms. Yet, the possibility of striking or locking out seems more likely now than before.
Several scenarios could unfold in the coming weeks, from negotiations to potential holdouts. Whatever happens will likely have an impact on the approaching 2026 WNBA season.
Work stoppage already authorized
Back in December, the WNBPA voted to authorize a potential strike. This decision simply gave permission to the Executive Committee to begin the process if necessary. They emphasized that a strike would be a last resort, and the vote was more about administrative readiness rather than an immediate threat.
About 98% of players supported the strike authorization, with a notable 93% of union members participating in the vote.
Concerning a work stoppage, it appears that players are more inclined to strike than the league is to initiate a lockout. It’s important to remember that either side can trigger a work stoppage. The WNBA could lock players out, which would allow them to strike. However, many WNBA players are currently signed with teams in other international leagues, which diminishes the impact of a potential lockout. A lockout would remove the resources the WNBA provides, but since players have access to those elsewhere, it isn’t as effective as it might be in the NBA.
On the other hand, a WNBPA strike would remove the league’s most valuable asset: its players. Unlike other situations, players can’t just train elsewhere if a strike occurs. The WNBA would struggle to operate normally without its players, which gives the athletes considerable leverage in these discussions. While players clearly want to continue in the WNBA, they do have other avenues available to them.
So, while a player strike seems more probable than a league lockout, it isn’t imminent. However, as the contract nears expiration, the situation could shift quickly.
The WNBA offseason has already been affected
Under normal circumstances, the WNBA would be making moves and finalizing deals by now. They might have conducted an expansion draft for the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire back in December, similar to the draft for the Golden State Valkyries in 2024. Trade discussions would typically commence in January, leading into free agency.
Currently, however, the offseason is in a kind of limbo since no new contracts have been signed. Without an agreement setting parameters like salary caps and core picks, teams can’t make new signings or build their rosters. This stalemate has caused a halt in activity during this WNBA offseason.
The lack of movement has raised questions about how free agency will proceed. Recently, there were reports that the league proposed a suspension. With the contract expired, teams could technically extend qualifying offers starting Sunday, but these might need adjustments based on the terms of any new contract, particularly concerning restricted free agency and core designations—issues players have firmly expressed a desire to change. Furthermore, I doubt that players would respect those offers while negotiations were still active, especially with a potential strike looming.
The stakes are high regarding how these ongoing discussions might affect the 2026 season. With the WNBA season set to kick off in early May, it’s already been shortened to accommodate commitments to the FIBA Women’s World Cup later this fall. If the new contract introduces an expanded game schedule, the league will need to find a way to fit it in or consider postponing expansion until 2027. The NCAA season wraps up in April, and the WNBA has been cautious about starting its season earlier, especially since the draft occurs just nine days post-March Madness Finals. There isn’t really enough time for an early start.
What happens once the contract is signed?
The best-case scenario for everyone would obviously be reaching a new agreement soon. There’s been talk about how the players need to assert their power to secure what they want, and hopefully, negotiations will lead to that.
Afterward, if the issues of restricted free agency and core designations are still present in the new WNBA contracts, those will need to be addressed. Teams will manage offers and negotiate rights before players enter unrestricted free agency. Shortly following that, the WNBA Draft would occur after the college season ends. Additionally, many athletes will be competing in FIBA World Cup qualifying tournaments as well, which adds complexity to the timeline.
Assuming the new collective bargaining agreement is signed today, all of these processes would take just over two months. But given the current situation, it could take even less time—perhaps around six weeks. There’s a lot to think about, but, well, time may not be on their side.
