WNBA Collective Bargaining Negotiations Resume
In New York City, discussions aimed at advancing the stagnant collective bargaining negotiations between the WNBA and the players’ union resumed after a significant hiatus. The meeting took place on a Monday afternoon, with union president Nneka Ogwumike departing the NBA offices around 1:30 PM, three hours into the session. When approached for her thoughts, she declined to elaborate, reiterating, “no we can’t (talk).” Joining Ogwumike were fellow executive committee members Brianna Turner and Alysha Clark, while teammates Kelsey Plum and Napheesa Collier—who encountered flight delays—participated via Zoom alongside Breanna Stewart.
League’s Position and Proposals
From the league’s side, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, along with members from the labor relations committee and New York Liberty owners Clara Wu and Joe Tsai, were present to engage in negotiations. The collective bargaining talks have seen limited progress lately; the union is reportedly awaiting feedback on a proposal presented around Christmas, advocating for a 30% share of gross revenue for players. A source close to the situation indicated that the league did not perceive this proposal as significantly different from previous offers. This information was shared anonymously due to the confidential nature of the talks.
Current Salary Proposals
The WNBA’s latest counter-offer, made last month, included a maximum base salary of $1 million by 2026, with potential increases through revenue sharing, possibly reaching up to $1.3 million. This represents a substantial rise from the current maximum salary of $249,000 and could ultimately approach $2 million over the course of the new agreement, as per the insider.
Implications of Delayed Negotiations
The discussions have entered a precarious phase since the expiration of the current CBA on January 9, leading to a ‘status quo’ in operations. A subsequent moratorium was established, delaying the preliminary stages of free agency, including the issuing of qualifying offers and franchise tags.
Failure to conclude a new CBA soon may further postpone the commencement of the 2026 season, with already affected timelines including the expansion draft for prospective teams in Toronto and Portland. The league has, however, confirmed that the regular season is slated to kick off on May 8, following the public release of the schedule last month. The last CBA was finalized in January 2020, roughly a month post-agreement, suggesting that any new deal could similarly necessitate an extended period—potentially two months—before free agency could officially begin, which was initially expected to launch last month.
