Rumors

The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) announced today that they have reached a tentative agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), pending ratification by the players and the league’s Board of Governors. The new seven-year CBA, which will commence with the 2026 season and run through 2032, represents one of the most transformational labor agreements ever reached in major professional sports.

NBA.com

The new system will result in significant increases in player compensation, with the league projecting more than $1 billion in player salaries and benefits over the seven-year agreement. The salary cap for the 2026 season will be set at $7.0 million and will adjust annually based on league and team revenue growth. The league’s top players will gain the ability to sign the first multi-million-dollar contracts in WNBA history. Maximum-contract players will earn a salary of $1.4 million in 2026 that is expected to grow to more than $2.4 million by 2032, based on current financial projections. The league’s average salary is expected to be $583,000 in 2026 and increase to over $1 million by 2032. Minimum salaries will range from $270,000 to $300,000 in 2026 (based on years of service) and will range from $340,000 to $380,000 by 2032. The agreement also establishes a new rookie contract scale that significantly increases salaries for top draft picks, including the No. 1 overall pick in 2026 projected to earn $500,000.

NBA.com

All existing rookie-scale contracts will also be adjusted upward, delivering meaningful pay increases for players at every stage of their careers. The agreement also creates an expedited pathway to maximum-level contracts for players on rookie deals who earn MVP or All-WNBA First or Second Team honors. In addition, starting in 2027, players with seven or more years of service cannot be designated as Core Players. The deal includes significant investments in the overall player experience, including enhanced standards for team facilities, expanded team staffing requirements, fully codified league-wide charter air travel, first-class travel accommodations, and significantly increased performance bonuses for individual award winners and playoff and Finals participants.

NBA.com

Shams Charania: Details of a landmark WNBA collective bargaining agreement, per ESPN sources: - New salary cap starting at $7 million, up from $1.5 million - Average revenue share of nearly 20% across deal - Supermax starting at $1.4M - Average salary in range of $600K, minimum above $300K

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Get Up: @ShamsCharania announces details of a landmark WNBA collective bargaining agreement ⬇️

Twitter

After a prolonged labor battle, the WNBA and Women's National Basketball Players Association reached a verbal agreement on the terms for a new collective bargaining agreement early Wednesday, just 51 days before the league's 30th season is set to tip. "The progress made in these discussions marks a transformative step forward for players and the league," WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert told reporters shortly before 3 a.m. ET, "and it's underscoring a shared commitment to the continued growth of the game. "It's [been] a process, but we're very proud to be leading in women's sports, and these players are amazing, and we're going to have an amazing 30th season tipping off in May."

ESPN

"I think this can be summed up in two words: player empowerment ... players coming to the table and standing on business and being reminded of the collective voice and of what it means to be in a union and the power of this union," Jackson said. "They never forgot it, and they have taken it, like they always do, to the next level."

ESPN

Mike Vorkunov: Breanna Stewart: "This deal is going to be transformational, and you'll see all the details hopefully soon, but it's gonna build and help create a system where everybody is getting exactly what they deserve and more from on the court and off the court aspects."

bsky.app

Malika Andrews: An update on the WNBA CBA Negotiations on NBA Today: there is optimism that an agreement will be reached — it’s a matter of if, not when. The biggest sticking point right now is the revenue share, @alexaphilippou reports:

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Alexa Philippou: Terri Carmichael Jackson just spoke with reporters on site. She said movement is still the word on Day Four of these marathon CBA negotiations. "I think the league, and particularly the commissioner and her team, have heard that transformational remains the goal." (1/2)

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Alexa Philippou: Said a salary system "tied to revenue in a meaningful way" remains a top priority On how far apart they are on rev share still: "The continued conversations have helped us chip away at what the concerns are for both sides and how we meet them, how we address them."

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Legion Hoops: Bam Adebayo and A’ja Wilson now hold the record for the highest-scoring games among active players in their respective leagues. Bam — 83 points A’ja — 53 points Power couple. ❤️

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Lillard added that he had to call A’ja Wilson, Adebayo’s girlfriend, to confirm if she was training him to become a better scorer. “A’ja been working with him, because he ain’t ever scored like this in his life.” Further to Lillard’s point, Adebayo had only two 30-point games through his first 56 games of the season before Tuesday’s explosion. Adebayo credited A’ja Wilson for helping him shore up his offensive skills. “To have 83 the first game she’s here is very special… the behind-the-scenes, the workouts, the conversations, they’re very motivating, and obviously you see what she does… you get inspired by that. I’m thankful to have her in my life,” Adebayo said.

Heavy.com

Wilt Chamberlain has the NBA single-game record of 100 points, and Adebayo now has the most among active players in his league. Wilson’s career high is 53, which is the most among active players in the WNBA and is tied for the all-time league mark. A power couple, indeed. “I’m thankful to have her in my life,” Adebayo said. He got himself out of trouble on Tuesday as well. Wilson has been out of town for a few days, and wasn’t there on Sunday night when Adebayo scored 24 points — giving him 10,001 for his career. Wilson wanted to be there for the milestone. Adebayo got it without her in the building. That didn’t go over well. “She wanted me to wait,” Adebayo said. “To have 83, the first game she’s here, is very special. The behind-the scenes, the workouts, the conversations, they’re very motivating and you get inspired every day by that.”

Washington Post