Trending Now - WNBA and Players Union Continue CBA Negotiations Without Agreement

WHO:

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert

WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson

Players in attendance: Breanna Stewart, Nneka Ogwumike, Bri Turner, Alysha Clark

WNBA head of league operations Bethany Donaphin

New York Liberty owner Clara Wu Tsai

WHAT:

A 12-hour bargaining session took place on March 10th, 2026, without reaching a deal.

The WNBA's last known proposal included a salary cap of $5.75 million and a 70% share of net revenue.

The players' union proposed a 26% share of gross revenue over the life of the deal.

The average player salary was projected to reach $540,000 in 2026 and $780,000 by 2031.

The supermax salary in 2025 was $249,000.

WHERE:

The meeting took place at the Langham Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, New York.

WHEN:

The meeting started at 5 p.m. ET on March 10th, 2026, and ended just before 3 a.m. on March 11th, 2026.

The WNBA's deadline for starting the season on time was March 10th, 2026.

Training camp is scheduled to start on April 19th, 2026, and the WNBA draft is set for April 13th, 2026.

WHY:

The negotiations are focused on how to share the new revenue influx into the WNBA.

The league and union have been far apart on revenue share and other issues, including team-provided housing and retired player benefits.

HOW:

Proposals were exchanged between the league and the union prior to the meeting, but details were not leaked.

Engelbert described the negotiations as "complex" and emphasized the need for a "win-win deal."

Jackson stated that "every meeting is a positive meeting" and highlighted the importance of ongoing conversations.

(UPDATED March 11, 2026 13:26 UTC)

In a lengthy 12-hour bargaining session that began last Monday evening and wrapped up just before 3 a.m. today, WNBA officials and player representatives failed to reach an agreement on key issues, including revenue sharing and player benefits. The league's last proposal included a salary cap of $5.75 million and a 70% share of net revenue, while the players' union countered with a request for a 26% share of gross revenue, as they aim to increase the average player salary significantly over the next few years. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert described the negotiations as "complex," emphasizing the need for a "win-win deal," while players' union executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson noted that every meeting is a step forward in these ongoing discussions.