WNBA and WNBPA reach groundbreaking CBA deal with revolutionary revenue sharing model
Historic Agreement - The WNBA and WNBPA have officially announced a tentative deal on a new collective bargaining agreement featuring the first comprehensive revenue-sharing model in women's professional sports history, projecting over $1 billion in player compensation through 2032.
WNBA, WNBPA officially announce tentative deal on new CBA Photo Credit: WNBA
The WNBA and WNBPA have completed and signed a term sheet for a new collective bargaining agreement, allowing both sides to officially announce Friday they have reached a tentative deal. The terms were verbally agreed upon by both parties early Wednesday morning after eight days and more than 100 hours of bargaining in Midtown Manhattan in New York.
In a news release, the league called the deal « one of the most transformational labor agreements ever reached in major professional sports. » The deal is pending ratification from the WNBA Board of Governors and the WNBPA player body, which could take another few weeks.
Revolutionary financial structure transforms player compensation
At the centerpiece of the new deal is a revenue sharing model that the league calls « the first comprehensive revenue-sharing model in women’s professional sports history. » The league projects the new system will deliver more than $1 billion in player salaries and benefits over the course of the agreement.
The salary cap for the 2026 season will be $7 million and will change annually based on league and team revenue growth; it is projected to exceed $10 million by the end of the deal. The maximum salary is set for $1.4 million in 2026 and is projected to grow to more than $2.4 million by 2032.
The average salary is expected to be $583,000 in 2026 and set to exceed $1 million by 2032. Minimum salaries will range based on years of service from $270,000 to $300,000 in 2026 and are projected to range from $340,000 to $380,000 by 2032.
WNBA and WNBPA Reach Tentative Deal On Historic Collective Bargaining Agreement pic.twitter.com/S294Y59PIm
— WNBA Communications (@WNBAComms) March 20, 2026
Enhanced benefits and expanded season structure
Under the new deal, existing rookie-scale contracts will be adjusted upward, with the 2026 No. 1 overall pick projected to earn $500,000. The agreement will also require teams to roster 12 players, and they can also now have two additional spots for developmental players that will not count against the cap.
The 2026 season will remain at 44 games, and then the schedule will expand to up to 50 games in 2027 and 2028 and then up to 52 games from 2029 through 2032. The new CBA also addressed the housing issue, which emerged as a flash point in negotiations after the league initially did not include it in its proposals.
Housing will be provided for all players in 2026, 2027 and 2028, and for players making $500,000 or less in 2029 and 2030. Additional benefits include codified leaguewide charter air travel, enhanced team facility standards, and a one-time recognition payment for WNBA veterans and retired players ranging from $30,000 to $100,000 based on years of service.
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Sylvain Sultat follows the NBA on a daily basis, covering individual performances, team dynamics, and the league's greatest stories. On Be-Basketball, he breaks down the latest American basketball news with passion and consistency, always on the lookout for the trends shaping the world of basketball.
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