The WNBA and the players’ union did not reach an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement, or an extension, before Friday’s deadline.
The The WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association failed to reach an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement or an extension of the old one before Friday’s 11:59 p.m. ET deadline.but both sides are expected to continue negotiations amid a bitter stalemate as they work toward a transformative deal.
With the collective bargaining agreement expired, the league and the players’ union are also discussing a moratorium proposal that would halt the initial stages of free agency, in which teams would seek to offer qualifying offers and designations of key players, sources told ESPN.
The idea of a moratorium was floated by the league a few days ago, but was formalized in writing Friday night, according to sources, and the union is reviewing the proposal.
The offices of the WNBA were informed this week that teams should prepare to extend qualifying offers and designations of key players under the expired deal, according to sources. This would mean that teams could technically offer players qualifying offers and key player designations starting Sunday and running through Jan. 20.
It is expected that players will not want to sign contracts while a new salary system with substantial increases in remuneration is negotiated. All but two of the league’s veteran players are free agents this offseason, awaiting a new collective bargaining agreement.
With the previous agreement expired, both parties enter a period called status quo, where the working conditions of the old collective agreement are maintained and both parties can continue negotiating. But the expiration of the old agreement opens the door to a possible stoppage of work, whether it be a strike by the players or a lockout by the owners. However, the league has not considered a lockout, sources told ESPN.
The WNBPA declared in a statement that “despite demonstrating our willingness to reach an agreement, the WNBA and their teams have not responded with the same spirit and seriousness. “Instead, they have remained steadfast in underestimating the contributions of the players, ignoring their concerns and letting time run out.”
“In the face of the actions of the league and the teams, the players remain steadfast, fearless and unwavering in their commitment to do what is necessary to secure a new transformative collective bargaining agreement… Let there be no doubt. Equal pay is not optional and progress is long overdue. We urge the league and its teams to rise to the occasion. The players have already done so and will continue to do so.”
“At a crucial time of unprecedented popularity and growth for the league, we recognize the importance of building on this momentum,” the league stated in a statement. “Our priority is an agreement that significantly increases player salaries, improves their overall experience and supports the long-term growth of the league for current and future generations of players and fans.”
The parties remain far apart on several key points, mainly regarding the revenue sharing system.
The league has proposed a system in which players would receive, on average, 70% of net income over the life of the agreement. This system would include an unlimited revenue sharing component; an increase in maximum salaries above $1.3 million, reaching almost $2 million over the life of the agreement; average salaries greater than $530 thousand, which would exceed $780 thousand during the term of the agreement; and minimum wages exceeding a quarter of a million dollars in the first year. The salary cap would be $5 million in the first year – not including revenue-sharing payments – and would increase in line with revenue growth in subsequent years.
In comparison, in 2025, the maximum salary of the WNBA was $249,244 thousand, the average salary was $120 thousand, the minimum was $66,079 and the salary cap was $1,507.1 million.
According to a document obtained by ESPN and shared with the players, the WNBA Players Association (WNBPA) proposed in late November a compensation system with a projected salary cap of about $12.5 million in 2026, more than eight times the cap in 2025. This Nov. 28 proposal also included an average salary of about $1 million and a maximum salary of $2.5 million. Multiple sources familiar with the negotiations told ESPN that in recent weeks, the union has proposed a salary cap of around $10.5 million as part of a system in which players would receive about 30% of gross earnings.
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne contributed to this report.
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