Overview
- Union vice president Breanna Stewart said no deal or third extension will be reached by the Jan. 9 deadline, though both sides will keep negotiating in good faith.
- With the expiration, operations move forward under current CBA terms, strike authority remains with the WNBPA, and league officials say they are not considering a lockout.
- The core dispute centers on revenue-sharing mechanics: the union seeks about 30% of gross revenue with a 2026 team cap near $10.5 million, while the league proposes a net‑revenue model with an initial cap around $5 million and max salaries rising from roughly $1.3 million to nearly $2 million over the deal.
- Delayed resolution threatens the offseason calendar, including free agency, the schedule release, and expansion draft planning for Portland and Toronto, which could compress the 2026 timeline.
- Preparing for potential disruption, the WNBPA has launched player hubs at universities and training facilities to support workouts during any work stoppage.