"Standing on Business": How the WNBPA Secured a Transformational Future

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The WNBA and the Players Association (WNBPA) reached a landmark verbal agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in the early hours of Wednesday.

This deal ends 17 months of tense negotiations and ensures that the league’s 30th anniversary season will tip off on schedule on May 8, 2026.

Key Financial Highlights

The new agreement is being hailed as “transformational,” primarily because it ties player salaries directly to league revenue for the first time in history.

Feature Old CBA (2025) New CBA (2026) Team Salary Cap ~$1.5 Million $7 Million Supermax Salary ~$250,000 $1.4 Million+ Average Salary ~$120,000 ~$600,000 Minimum Salary ~$66,000 $300,000+ Revenue Share Tier-based/Minimal ~20% of Gross Revenue

Major Wins for Players

Revenue Sharing: A major sticking point in talks, players will now receive an average of 20% of the league’s gross revenue, allowing stars like Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson to earn salaries that reflect the league’s massive new $200 million annual media rights deal.
Professional Standards: Significant improvements were made to travel (charter flights), team facilities, staffing, and housing stipends.
Family Benefits: The deal includes expanded resources for retirement, parental leave, and family planning.

What Happens Next?

While the verbal agreement is in place, the league is now in a “sprint” to finalize the details before the season begins:

Ratification: A formal term sheet must be signed and voted on by the players and the WNBA Board of Governors.
Expansion Drafts: The league will conduct drafts for the two new expansion franchises, the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire.
Free Agency: A high-speed free agency period will open shortly, as over 80% of the league is currently under expired contracts.
College Draft: Scheduled for April 13, 2026.