WNBA Negotiations: Players' Association Makes Concessions
The Women's National Basketball Players' Association has reportedly made concessions in their latest proposal to the WNBA's collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations. According to ESPN's Alexa Philippou, the new proposal includes reduced revenue-sharing percentages and a lower salary cap for players.
In December, the players' union proposed an average of 31% of gross revenue for players over the new CBA, starting at 28% in the first year and a salary cap of approximately $10.5 million. However, the latest proposal calls for an average of 27.5% of gross revenue, with a starting point of 25% in the first season and a salary cap of less than $9.5 million.
The key point of contention is the revenue-sharing system. The league believes it should be based on net revenue (revenue after expenses), while the players' union wants it to be based on gross revenue. The league's proposal, received in early February, offered an average of 70% of net revenue for players, with a $5.65 million salary cap in 2026 that would increase with revenue growth.
Another concession is the housing issue. The union's proposal now calls for the WNBA to provide housing for players for the first several years of the new CBA, but only for those on multiyear deals with full salary protection near the maximum salary. The league's previous proposal had offered one-bedroom apartments for players on minimum salary or with zero years of service for the first three years of the CBA.
Despite these concessions, no agreement has been reached yet. The WNBA has released its schedule for the 2026 season, which will be the league's 30th anniversary and will feature two new teams, the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo. Each team will play 44 contests.
The question remains: Will these concessions be enough to reach a deal? The players' union and the league will need to find common ground to ensure a successful CBA and a thriving WNBA.
