The WNBA’s new labor deal explained: what it means for pay, power and the league’s future
After 17 months of negotiations, the WNBA and its players have agreed to a new CBA. From salaries to revenue sharing, here’s what’s changing and why it matters
Caitlin Clark and Sabrina Ionescu wear shirts saying ‘Pay us what you owe us’ prior to last year’s WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Photograph: Steph Chambers/Getty Images The WNBA and its players’ union (WNBPA) have reached a verbal agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement, ending 17 months of negotiations after players opted out of the previous deal and averting mounting fears of a strike. The agreement would be the sixth in league history and is being framed by both sides as a major step forward for player empowerment and the league’s growth.
Related: Sign up for WNBA 30: a limited run women’s basketball newsletter Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said Wednesday the two sides have “aligned on key elements”, though a formal term sheet still needs to be finalized. Union leaders echoed that sentiment, calling the deal a reflection of players using their collective voice. Full details have not yet been released, and the agreement must still be ratified.
League operations – including expansion drafts for new teams in Toronto and Portland, free agency and the 2026 draft – cannot begin until paperwork is completed, a process that could take weeks. Despite that, the WNBA expects its 30th season to tip off on schedule on 8 May. Here’s a breakdown of what the new deal means and how it could reshape the league.
What is a CBA? A collective bargaining agreement, or CBA, is essentially a legal contract between a league and its players that sets the rules for how everything works – from salaries and benefits to working conditions and league operations. It’s not unique to sports and many industries with unions around the world have similar agreements with their employers.
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