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Alexa Philippou
The WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association did not reach an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement or an extension of the prior one by the deadline of Friday at 11:59 p.m. ET, but both parties are likely to persist in negotiations amidst a contentious standoff as they aim for a significant deal.
With the CBA expired, discussions are ongoing regarding a proposed moratorium that would prevent the initial phases of free agency, during which teams seek to make qualifying offers and core designations to players, sources informed ESPN.
The concept of a moratorium was suggested by the league a few days prior but was formally documented late Friday, sources reported, and the union is currently evaluating the proposal.
WNBA teams were notified this week that they should be ready to extend qualifying offers and core designations under the expired contract, sources indicated. This implies that teams could technically start offering players qualifying offers and core designations as soon as Sunday and continue until Jan. 20.
It is generally anticipated that players will refrain from signing contracts while a new salary framework with expected substantial pay raises is still under negotiation. Nearly all of the league’s veterans are set to become free agents this offseason in anticipation of a new CBA.
With the prior agreement lapsed, both parties enter a period termed status quo, where the conditions of the old CBA are upheld and both sides can keep negotiating. However, the termination of the previous agreement introduces the possibility of a work stoppage — either a player strike or an owner lockout. Nonetheless, the league has reportedly not contemplated locking out the players, sources communicated to ESPN.
The WNBPA issued a statement asserting that «despite showing our eagerness to reach a compromise and finalize a deal, the WNBA and its teams have not come to the table with the same level of commitment and seriousness. Instead, they have chosen to undervalue player contributions, overlook player concerns, and let time slip away.»
«In light of the league and teams’ actions, the players remain resolute, unafraid, and steadfast in their dedication to achieving a transformative new CBA…. There is no doubt. Pay equity is essential and progress has been long overdue. We call on the league and its teams to rise to this occasion. The players have already stepped up and will continue to do so.»
«As the league encounters a crucial moment of unparalleled popularity and growth, we acknowledge the necessity of building on that momentum,» the league asserted in its own statement. «Our goal is to secure a deal that greatly boosts player salaries, improves the overall player experience, and fosters the league’s long-term growth for the current and future generations of players and fans.»
The two sides still find themselves significantly divided on several critical points, particularly regarding the structure of a revenue-sharing system.
The league has suggested a system in which players would earn, on average, 70% of net revenue throughout the agreement’s duration. This would include an uncapped revenue-sharing element; an increase of maximum salaries beyond $1.3 million and approaching nearly $2 million over the course of the deal; average salaries exceeding $530,000 and rising to more than $780,000 over the lifespan of the deal; and minimum salaries surpassing a quarter of a million in the first year. The salary cap would sit at $5 million in the initial year — excluding revenue-sharing payments — and would grow in alignment with revenue increases in subsequent years.
In comparison, in 2025, the WNBA supermax was $249,244, the average salary was $120,000, the minimum was $66,079 and the salary cap was $1,507,100.
According to a document procured by ESPN that was shared with players, the WNBPA proposed a compensation framework in late November projecting a salary cap of roughly $12.5 million in 2026, over eight times the 2025 cap. That proposal from Nov. 28 also included an approximated average player salary of $1 million and a maximum player salary of $2.5 million. Multiple sources familiar with the discussions have informed ESPN that recently, the union has suggested a salary cap closer to $10.5 million as part of a system where players would earn about 30% of gross revenue.
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne contributed to this report.
