WNBA CBA negotiations: League proposes higher salaries, team housing cuts, and earlier start for new collective bargaining agreement

The WNBA has outlined new proposals in its ongoing collective bargaining agreement (CBA) discussions, which feature higher salaries, adjustments to team-provided housing, and the possibility of an earlier season start, according to Front Office Sports.

This update follows the recent agreement between the WNBA and its players union to extend the CBA negotiation deadline to January 9, 2026.

Sources from ESPN report that the league is proposing a maximum base salary of $1 million, with potential revenue sharing pushing top earnings above $1.2 million. Average player salaries could surpass $500,000, while the minimum salary may rise to over $225,000. By comparison, the 2025 supermax salary was $249,244, and the minimum was $66,079. The salary cap is expected to jump from $1.5 million to $5 million.

The leagues plan would tie salary growth to league and team revenue, a long-standing point of negotiation. However, the proposed salary increases could affect team housing, which has been offered by the league since 2016. Under the current CBA, players may live in team-provided accommodations or receive a monthly housing stipend. The stipend differs by city, with players who have children under 13 eligible for two-bedroom apartments. Monthly housing costs range from $1,177 in Las Vegas to $2,647 in New York.

Another proposal involves starting the season earlier. Training camp could begin in mid-March, overlapping with the NCAA tournament and the WNBA Draft, meaning rookies would join after the season has already started. Previously, April 1 was the earliest allowed start date for training camp.

The WNBA has been trending toward a longer season, with teams set to play a record 44 games in 2025 and the playoffs extending to a seven-game Finals series. Changes to the schedule could also impact players participating in offseason leagues like Unrivaled, Project B, and the EuroLeague.

CBA negotiations have been tense amid the league's rapid growth. During the July All-Star Game, players wore shirts reading "Pay Us What You Owe Us," reflecting ongoing frustrations. Minnesota Lynx All-Star Napheesa Collier publicly criticized Commissioner Engelbert and the leagues management for accountability issues. Since then, the league and players union have exchanged statements, and negotiations are continuing without a clear resolution in sight.

Author: Sophia Brooks