The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and its players’ union are locked in high-stakes negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), with the current deal set to expire on October 31, 2025. At the heart of the standoff is a push by players for a dynamic revenue-sharing model that reflects the league’s recent surge in popularity and franchise valuations.
During the Women’s National Basketball Association All-Star Weekend in July, players emphasized the urgency of the talks, donning shirts reading “Pay Us What You Owe Us” and expressing frustration with the lack of progress in meetings with league officials. With expansion on the horizon and salaries expected to increase, both sides face mounting pressure to strike a deal that supports long-term growth and fairness.
WNBA Players Push for Revenue Sharing and Salary Growth at the Forefront
The central issue, according to WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike, is ensuring that players receive a growing share of the league’s expanding revenue. The current CBA sets salary caps in advance with modest annual increases, without tying them directly to business performance.
League sources indicate the latest proposal would significantly raise salaries—potentially quadrupling the current maximum base salary of $249,244 to $1 million. However, players argue that without tying pay to league revenues, their share remains effectively stagnant despite increased profits.
The push for a more flexible system comes amid skyrocketing franchise valuations. The Las Vegas Aces, purchased for $2 million in 2021, are now valued at $310 million. The New York Liberty, bought for under $14 million, is reportedly worth $450 million. Players say this explosive growth should be reflected in their compensation structure.
Expansion, Prioritization, and the Threat of a Lockout
Complicating CBA negotiations is the WNBA’s planned expansion, with new teams in Portland and Toronto set to join the league in 2026. A lockout could disrupt timelines for expansion drafts and player movement, raising the stakes for a timely agreement.
While no formal work stoppage has been declared, players’ dissatisfaction after the All-Star meeting has raised concerns. Still, both sides have expressed interest in avoiding a lockout and continuing talks in good faith.
A key non-financial issue is the league’s prioritization rule, which requires players to place WNBA commitments above overseas leagues. While originally implemented to strengthen league continuity, critics argue it restricts player flexibility, especially as alternatives like Unrivaled and Athletes Unlimited grow in appeal. Some WNBPA leaders, including Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, who co-founded Unrivaled, have pushed back against pressure to abandon such ventures.
Looking Ahead: More Than Just Salaries
Though salary and revenue models dominate current CBA negotiations, broader issues are also on the table. These include roster sizes, travel standards, draft eligibility, and the WNBA season footprint. Players have voiced support for aligning draft rules more closely with other leagues, such as MLB, to simplify eligibility and encourage earlier professional entry.
Ogwumike remains cautiously optimistic, noting constructive dialogue between both parties. However, she stresses that financial frameworks must be addressed first to unlock progress on other issues.
With less than three months until the current CBA expires, the WNBA finds itself at a crossroads. How the league and its players resolve these CBA negotiations could set the tone not only for future seasons, but for the long-term trajectory of women’s professional basketball in the U.S.
“We just want to make sure that this is a deal that’s done the right way,” said Ogwumike. “And using whatever time it takes for us to be able to have both sides agree on something.”
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