Explainer
The 2026 WNBA CBA, explained
We covered the WNBA's collective bargaining fight on the show almost every week from January to March 2026, across 11 episodes. This page puts the whole thing in one place: what the old deal looked like, how the negotiation unfolded, where the two sides were stuck, and what the final agreement changed.
Key takeaways
- The WNBA and WNBPA agreed to a seven-year CBA in March 2026 after the old deal expired on January 9 and free agency sat frozen for more than two months.
- The salary cap jumped from $1.5 million to $7 million per team, and max salaries from $249,244 to $1.4 million, projected to pass $2.4 million by 2032.
- Minimum salaries rose to $270,000 to $300,000 depending on years of service, more than the old max.
- For the first time, player pay is tied to league revenue: players get about 20% of gross revenue over the life of the deal, with no ceiling as revenue grows.
- The biggest fight was gross versus net revenue. The league wanted to share net revenue, after expenses it controls; the players wanted a cut of gross.
The deal at a glance
| Old CBA (2025) | 2026 CBA | |
|---|---|---|
| Salary cap | ~$1.5M, +3% a year | $7M, grows with revenue |
| Minimum salary | $66K–$79K | $270K–$300K |
| Max salary | $249,244 | $1.4M (projected $2.4M+ by 2032) |
| Average salary | ~$120K | ~$583K |
| Revenue sharing | Only past multi-year growth thresholds ($8M in 2025) | ~20% of gross revenue, no ceiling |
| Length | Players opted out early | 7 years, opt-out after year 6 |
Sources: WNBA and WNBPA announcement, ESPN, and our reporting in Episode 5 and Episode 12.
How the negotiation unfolded
- October 2024. The players opt out of the CBA that was set to run through 2027, betting on the league's growth. (Episode 5)
- October 2025 to January 2026. The negotiating deadline slips twice, to November 30 and then January 9. Before it passes, players authorize a strike: 93% participation, 98% in favor.
- January 9, 2026. The old CBA expires with no deal and no counter-proposal from the league. The sides move to "status quo": free agency frozen for more than 100 players, and the Portland and Toronto expansion drafts on hold. (Episode 2, Episode 3)
- Late January. The two sides meet for the first time since October. The league brings no new proposal. (Episode 5)
- February. After six weeks of silence the league counters, conceding on housing and developmental roster spots but not on how revenue is shared. Adam Silver calls for "a next level sense of urgency." The league sets a March 10 deadline and reveals revenue sharing under the old deal paid out just $8 million across 13 teams. (Episode 6, Episode 7, Episode 8)
- Early March. The union drops its ask to 25% of gross revenue. Players debate the offer on a league-wide call, and agents get involved. (Episode 9, Episode 10)
- Mid-March. Another deadline passes after 16-plus counter-offers. The gap: the league at 70% of net revenue, the union at about 24% to 25% of gross, and about $3 million apart on the cap. (Episode 11)
- March 2026. The deal is done: seven years, a $7 million cap, and the first revenue-sharing model in women's pro sports. (Episode 12)
Why gross versus net was the real fight
Salary numbers made the headlines, but the fight that kept stalling the deal was what revenue the players would get a share of. Net revenue is what's left after expenses, and the owners decide what counts as an expense, including costs like arena rent paid to buildings often owned by the same NBA ownership groups. Gross revenue is the top line, before any of that comes out.
As Caitlin put it on the show: "The players are saying, you're gonna pay us first. And the league is saying, you're an expense." The league also never opened its books, so players were being asked to accept terms based on numbers they couldn't verify, while the same league was charging $250 million expansion fees and Sportico valued the Golden State Valkyries at $500 million.
What else changed for players
- The EPIC rule (Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract): players on rookie deals who make All-WNBA can negotiate up to a max contract in year four, and MVPs up to the super max. That put Caitlin Clark in line for the max in 2027 and Paige Bueckers in 2028.
- Bigger rosters: teams must carry 12 players, plus a separate developmental player pool.
- Pregnancy protections: players must consent to being traded while pregnant.
- Retiree back pay based on years of service, for the players who built the league.
The effects showed up immediately. More than 80% of the league hit free agency at once, both expansion drafts and the college draft were squeezed into April, and A'ja Wilson signed a three-year, $5 million super max with the Aces, about $1.4 million in year one after making roughly $200,000 in 2025. (Episode 16)
Every episode where we covered the CBA
- Episode 2 Recap: WNBA Labor Standoff, Unrivaled’s Electric Debut, & Volleyball’s Big Business
- Episode 3 Recap: NWSL "Rodman Rule," WNBA Moratorium & 2026 Winter Olympics Preview
- Episode 5 Recap: WNBA CBA Deep Dive: Is a Strike Coming?
- Episode 6 Recap: 2026 Winter Olympics, Lindsey Vonn, & Team USA Hockey
- Episode 7 Recap: USA Women's Hockey, WNBA CBA, Angel Reese Returns to Unrivaled & NWSL Roster Moves
- Episode 8 Recap: USA Olympic Hockey Gold, She Believes Cup Roster & WNBA CBA Drama
- Episode 9 Recap: The Olympic Effect Is Real, the CBA Might Actually Get Done, and We Have Thoughts on That Phone Call
- Episode 10: NWSL Season Preview, She Believes Cup, and a Whole Lot of Soccer
- Episode 11: WNBA CBA Crunch Time, NWSL Is Back, and the PWHL Playoff Race Heats Up
- Episode 12 - The WNBA CBA Is Here, Women's Tackle Football, and March Madness Magic
- Episode 16 - WNBA Season Preview, A'ja Wilson's Historic Deal, and Emma Hayes' Masterclass
Frequently asked questions
When was the 2026 WNBA CBA signed?
The WNBA and the players' union reached agreement in March 2026, after the previous CBA expired on January 9, 2026. The deal runs seven years, starting with the 2026 season, with an opt-out after year six.
What is the WNBA salary cap in 2026?
$7 million per team, up from about $1.5 million in 2025. Under the new CBA the cap adjusts each year with league and team revenue.
What is the WNBA minimum and maximum salary under the new CBA?
Minimums range from $270,000 to $300,000 in 2026 depending on years of service. The max salary is $1.4 million in 2026 and is projected to exceed $2.4 million by 2032.
Do WNBA players get revenue sharing now?
Yes. The 2026 CBA ties player compensation to league revenue for the first time, with players receiving about 20% of gross revenue over the course of the deal.
What is the WNBA EPIC rule?
Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract. Players on rookie deals who earn All-WNBA honors can negotiate up to a max contract in their fourth year, and MVP winners up to the super max.
Did WNBA players go on strike in 2026?
No. Players authorized a strike before the January 9 deadline (98% of voters in favor, with 93% participation), but a deal was reached before the season was affected.
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