New York, December 02, 2025
The WNBA and its Players Association have reached an agreement to extend the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) by 40 days, moving the deadline to January 9, 2026, allowing more time for ongoing negotiations on player compensation and league terms.
Extension Agreement Details
The WNBA Players Association (WNBPA) proposed this 40-day extension to the existing CBA, which the league formally accepted after preliminary discussions had considered a shorter timeframe. The previous agreement officially expired at the end of November 2025, but operations have continued under its provisions while talks progress.
Proposed Changes in the New CBA
Negotiations focus on significant modifications that could reshape the financial landscape of the league. Among the key proposals are a $1 million base salary for top-tier players, an increase in the salary cap to $5 million for 2026, and a formula linking future salary caps to league revenue growth. This represents a stark rise from the current 2025 salary cap of $1.5 million.
Player salaries are projected to increase substantially, with average salaries expected to surpass $500,000, and minimum salaries proposed to be over $225,000, compared to the present minimum of approximately $66,000. Additionally, the new CBA draft includes a revenue-sharing model that would allow players to receive direct payments if league revenue targets are met—an innovative step given prior financial constraints related to the pandemic.
Ongoing Negotiations and Impact
This extension is pivotal for ensuring thorough discussions on player rights, benefits, and league structure, highlighting the importance of reaching a balanced agreement. The final terms will influence the WNBA’s ability to compete with other professional sports leagues in attracting and retaining top talent, as well as its broader economic stability.
As the league and players prepare for continued talks with this extended deadline, the outcome will be closely watched by stakeholders across sports management, business, and policy sectors for its potential to set new standards in women’s professional sports compensation and revenue models.