The WNBA and its players’ union have agreed to a 30-day extension of their collective bargaining agreement, averting a potential work stoppage and allowing more time for negotiations on a new deal. This decision came just hours before the current CBA was set to expire on October 31, 2025, reflecting both sides’ desire to continue talks without disruption.
The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) opted out of the current CBA in October 2024, initiating a year-long negotiation period for a new agreement. Players have emphasized the need for a “transformative” deal that capitalizes on the league’s recent growth, driven by rising popularity and new stars. Key demands include significant salary increases, improved working conditions, and a revenue-sharing model that ties player compensation to the business’s performance.
Under the extension, the current CBA will remain in effect through November 30, 2025. This approach echoes the 2019 negotiations, where a 60-day extension preceded the ratification of the current deal in January 2020. The WNBA had proposed the 30-day extension earlier in the week, and the players’ acceptance indicates a willingness to avoid immediate conflict while pressing for their goals.
A major point of contention is the salary structure. The current CBA features fixed annual increases of 3%, but players seek a system similar to the NBA, where salaries are linked to basketball-related income. Reports suggest players receive only about 9% of total revenue, far less than the nearly 50% share in the NBA. The league has offered salary boosts, such as a potential supermax around $850,000, but insists on balancing increases with long-term viability.
Other priorities for players include establishing minimum standards for facilities and staffing, codifying the charter travel program introduced in 2024, and expanding retirement and family planning benefits. Issues like prioritization rules, which require players to report for WNBA training camp on time, and the “core” system, which limits free agency, are also under discussion. Players argue that these changes are essential for professional treatment and career sustainability.
Negotiations have been marked by public tension, with WNBPA vice president Napheesa Collier criticizing WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert for “the worst leadership.” Union counsel Erin Drake stated that a deal by the original deadline was impossible due to the league’s perceived lack of urgency. The league responded by accusing the union of disseminating misinformation and urged focused bargaining.
If no agreement is reached by November 30, the parties could enter a “status quo” period, where current conditions persist but either side could initiate a work stoppage. However, sources indicate that a lockout or strike is not currently expected. The tight offseason schedule, including expansion drafts for new teams in Portland and Toronto and a massive free agency period, adds urgency to the talks.
Looking ahead, both sides are expected to intensify negotiations over the next 30 days, with regular meetings involving key stakeholders. A new CBA must be finalized to proceed with league operations, ideally by early January to avoid delaying the 2026 season. The outcome will shape the WNBA’s future, impacting player welfare and the league’s ability to sustain its growth trajectory.