Trending Now - WNBA Offseason Marked by Labor Deal and Rookie Contract Changes
WHO:
WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association)
Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA)
Cathy Engelbert, WNBA Commissioner
Caitlin Clark, college basketball player
Paige Bueckers, college basketball player
Angel Reese, college basketball player
Aliyah Boston, college basketball player
Serena Williams, part-owner of the expansion WNBA franchise Toronto Tempo
WHAT:
The WNBA and WNBPA agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) after eight days of negotiations.
The new CBA is a seven-year deal running from 2026 to 2032.
The salary cap for the 2026 season is set at $7 million, with an average salary of over $585,000.
The supermax salary will be close to $1.4 million, with the minimum salary ranging from $270,000 to $300,000.
The No. 1 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft will earn a base salary of $500,000.
Players on the WNBA championship team will receive $60,000 bonuses, up from $15,000.
The CBA includes provisions for charter travel, life insurance benefits exceeding $700,000 per player, and increased team contributions to 401K retirement accounts.
Teams are required to carry 12 players on their roster and can have two additional developmental players.
WHERE:
The WNBA Draft will take place in New York City on April 13, 2026.
WHEN:
The new CBA was agreed upon in principle on March 16, 2026.
Training camps are set to begin on April 19, 2026.
Preseason games will start on April 25, 2026.
The WNBA's 30th season will open on May 8, 2026.
The expansion draft is scheduled for April 6, 2026.
Free agency will begin on April 7, 2026, and players can formally sign deals on April 12, 2026.
WHY:
The new CBA aims to address player compensation and improve conditions for players in the league.
The agreement is described as a "transformational" deal that will shape women's basketball for generations.
HOW:
The CBA was reached after marathon negotiations and is pending ratification by the players and approval from the league’s Board of Governors.
The CBA includes significant increases in bonuses for awards and postseason success, as well as provisions for housing and travel accommodations.
(UPDATED March 23, 2026 13:34 UTC)
In a significant development for women's basketball, the WNBA and the Women's National Basketball Players Association have reached a new collective bargaining agreement after eight days of negotiations, which is set to run from 2026 to 2032. The agreement includes a salary cap of $7 million for the 2026 season, with players on the championship team receiving bonuses of $60,000, and it also introduces provisions for charter travel and enhanced retirement benefits. The WNBA Draft is scheduled for April 13 in New York City, with training camps beginning on April 19 and the league's 30th season kicking off on May 8.