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WNBA CBA Expires as League and Players Continue Negotiations

Talks persist under status-quo rules, leaving free agency and expansion planning on hold.

Overview

  • The agreement lapsed at 11:59 p.m. ET Friday after two extensions, and both sides said they will keep bargaining in good faith.
  • No strike has been called and the league is not planning a lockout, though players previously authorized strike power.
  • The core dispute is over pay structure, with the union seeking about 30% of gross revenue and a roughly $10.5 million team cap, while the league proposes shares of net revenue with a first-year cap near $5 million.
  • Under the league’s model, 2026 compensation benchmarks include a minimum above $250,000, an average above $530,000, and a maximum that could exceed $1.3 million through revenue sharing.
  • Offseason operations are frozen or uncertain, including a proposed free-agency moratorium, qualifying offers under the expired CBA, and the expansion draft for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo.