Officials from the WNBA and the players’ association gathered in New York on Monday for a lengthy discussion aimed at progressing a new collective bargaining agreement. The negotiations are crucial as they could potentially affect the 2026 season’s scheduled start.
This meeting was the first face-to-face discussion with players since the WNBA playoffs and came after negotiations stalled for the upcoming season, which is looming just 95 days away.
After nearly three hours of talks, attendees started to emerge from the elevators into the lobby of the Olympic Tower.
The Liberty’s owner Clara Wu Tsai was the first to exit. Not long after, Stephanie Dolson followed suit.
Soon after, Nneka Ogwumike, who serves as president of the National Women’s Basketball Players Association, made her way out, accompanied by Brianna Turner, Alisha Clark, and WNBPA Executive Director Terry Carmichael Jackson.
When approached for comments, Ogwumike simply said, “I’m sorry, but I can’t do that.”
The league has also opted not to comment.
Kelsey Plumb and Nafeesa Collier planned to be there in person, but they faced flight issues and attended virtually instead.
Brianna Stewart, who was set to compete in the Unrivaled game later, was also involved in the meeting via remote participation.
Attendees included WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, Nets owner Joe Tsai, Sun President Jennifer Rizzotti, among other members of the league’s labor relations committee.
Last week, Plumb mentioned at a Philadelphia event that she was eager to “learn a lot” from the rally.
“I think this is a meeting where everyone understands what’s at stake timeline-wise,” Plumb remarked.
Unfortunately, little progress has been made of late. The WNBPA is still waiting for a response from the league regarding a proposal it submitted over a month ago, a delay that has frustrated several players, including Liberty guard Natasha Cloud. She remarked, “We’re not moving out until you guys move out.”
The players are looking for approximately 30 percent of total revenue and a $10.5 million salary cap hit.
In contrast, the WNBA has offered a 70 percent net revenue share—this translates to roughly 15 percent of the entire league and team revenue—and a $5 million salary cap.
Currently, the WNBA’s offseason activities are essentially on hold while waiting for a contract to be ratified. This includes significant events like the two-team expansion draft, free agency, and the college draft.
With a potential strike not being an option, Azura Stevens expressed readiness for action last week, saying, “If the league wants to play and we don’t have a CBA, I have the money. I’m getting paid by Unrivaled and I have other income. So this is really their loss. I think it’s just ridiculous for them to drag it out this long.”
