By: Jennifer Portee
3/24/2026
The WNBA and its players’ union have officially secured a new collective bargaining agreement, ending a tense year of negotiations and ushering in what leaders are calling a “transformative” era for women’s basketball.
On Monday, the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) announced that its members unanimously ratified the new seven-year CBA, with participation exceeding 90 percent. The vote not only cements labor peace but guarantees that the league’s landmark 30th season will tip off as scheduled on May 8, according to commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
Key financial changes headline the deal. The salary cap will soar from $1.5 million to $7 million, while average player salaries are projected around $600,000 and the new supermax contract will start at $1.4 million. The CBA also introduces a revamped revenue sharing model, ensuring players receive roughly 20 percent of league earnings aligning compensation more closely with the WNBA’s growing financial success.
WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike hailed the deal as historic: “We stood together for what we’re worth, not just for today’s players but for future generations.” Engelbert echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that the agreement reflects a shared vision for sustainable growth and equity across women’s sports.
The agreement covers seven years with an opt-out after six, and includes expanded player benefits, improved housing provisions, and updated free-agency structures. With major hurdles cleared, the league now shifts its focus to a busy offseason highlighted by expansion drafts for the Portland Fire and newly minted Toronto Tempo.