WNBA, players' union reach deal in principle on new collective bargaining agreement
The WNBA and the Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) announced they have reached an agreement in principle on a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), putting the league on track for its planned tip-off date of May 8.[1][2]
Lawyers for both sides will finalize a term sheet in the coming days, after which it will be presented to WNBPA members for ratification and subsequently approved by the WNBA Board of Governors.[1]
"We have aligned on key elements of a new collective bargaining agreement together. We still need to finalize a formal term sheet, but the progress made in these discussions marks a transformative step forward for players and the league," WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said. The deal follows the union's opt-out from the prior CBA on November 1, 2024, after a previous agreement ratified in 2020 that was set to run through 2027.[2][3]
The agreement comes amid the league's rapid growth, fueled by the 2024 rookie class including Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 overall pick who averaged 19.2 points, 8.4 assists and 5.7 rebounds in her debut season.[4][5] WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike, a Seattle Storm center, said the CBA ties player salaries to league revenue for the first time in a meaningful way, projecting average compensation above $500,000, along with improved facilities and support.[1]
"The deal is going to be transformational. It's going to build and help create a system where everybody is getting exactly what they deserve and more from on the court and off the court aspects," said WNBPA Vice President Breanna Stewart, a New York Liberty forward and two-time league MVP.[1][6]
With the CBA framework in place, the league will proceed to free agency, training camps approximately six days after the expansion draft, and preparation for the 2026 season. The WNBA plans an expansion draft for its new Toronto franchise, set to join in 2026 following the Golden State Valkyries' entry in 2025.[7][8]
Sources
- Fox News Digital, "WNBA, players union reach deal in principle on new CBA," accessed December 18, 2025, https://www.foxnews.com/sports/wnba-players-union-reach-deal-principle-new-cba
- WNBA.com, "Commissioner Cathy Engelbert statement on CBA progress," December 17, 2025, https://www.wnba.com/news/commissioner-engelbert-cba-agreement-principle
- ESPN, "WNBA players opt out of CBA, negotiations begin," November 1, 2024, https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/41984567/wnba-players-opt-cba-negotiations-begin
- Basketball-Reference.com, "Caitlin Clark 2024 WNBA Stats," accessed December 2025, https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/players/c/clarkca01w.html
- WNBA.com, "2024 WNBA Draft: Caitlin Clark selected No. 1," April 15, 2024, https://www.wnba.com/news/2024-wnba-draft-caitlin-clark-indiana-fever
- WNBA.com, "WNBPA Executive Committee," accessed December 2025, https://www.wnba.com/wnbpa/executive-committee
- WNBA.com, "Toronto franchise announced for 2026," October 21, 2024, https://www.wnba.com/news/wnba-awards-toronto-expansion-franchise-2026
- WNBA.com, "Golden State Valkyries expansion draft," December 6, 2024, https://www.wnba.com/news/golden-state-valkyries-expansion-draft-complete
