Women's National Basketball Association players are on the verge of securing what could be the most transformative collective bargaining agreement in the league's history, with a new proposal featuring maximum salaries surpassing $1.1 million.
Groundbreaking Financial Terms
The WNBA's latest collective bargaining proposal represents a monumental shift in compensation for professional women basketballers. According to sources familiar with the negotiations, the deal would establish a maximum salary exceeding $1.1 million, available to multiple players on each team, with figures increasing annually throughout the agreement's duration.
League officials presented these updated terms to the board during recent meetings, as confirmed to the Associated Press by individuals speaking anonymously due to the confidential nature of ongoing discussions. The proposed minimum salary would rise to over $220,000, while the average player compensation would reach more than $460,000 annually.
These substantial pay increases would immediately benefit more than 180 WNBA athletes from the agreement's first year, establishing a new financial benchmark for women's professional sports.
Timeline and Negotiation Context
The current collective bargaining agreement was originally scheduled to terminate on 31 October, but both the WNBA and the players' union mutually agreed to extend negotiations until 30 November. This extension provides additional time to finalise what could become a revolutionary arrangement for athletes.
Players initially exercised their right to opt out of the existing CBA last year, clearly signalling their determination to secure improved terms. Their key demands included enhanced revenue sharing, higher salaries, better benefits, and a more flexible salary cap structure.
This isn't the first time negotiations have required additional time. When the previous collective bargaining agreement lapsed in 2019, both parties agreed to a 60-day extension, ultimately ratifying a new CBA in January 2020.
Leadership Optimism for Transformative Agreement
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has expressed considerable optimism about reaching a landmark deal. Speaking before the 2025 All-Star Game, she envisioned that by the 2026 All-Star event, everyone would be celebrating the success of this new agreement.
"I'm still really optimistic that we'll get something done that would be transformational," Engelbert stated in July, highlighting the potential for this CBA to redefine professional women's basketball.
Individuals familiar with the proposal have described it to the AP as an exceptionally lucrative package delivering substantial improvements over previous years. The league appears committed to reaching a swift resolution that adequately rewards players while ensuring the WNBA's continued growth and sustainability.
