WNBA and players' union reach tentative deal on a new collective bargaining agreement

WNBA and players union have aligned on key elements for a new collective bargaining agreement.

The WNBA and its players' union reached an agreement in principle on a transformational new collective bargaining agreement early Wednesday morning.

The new salary cap will start at $7 million, up from $1.5 million under the previous CBA, according to a person with knowledge of the agreed-upon terms who was not allowed to comment publicly. Additionally, players will make an average salary of around $600,000 and minimum contracts will be above $300,000. Across the life of the deal, players will earn an average share of 20% of gross revenue.

A term sheet should be done in the next day or two. It will then need to be ratified by the players and then approved by the league's Board of Governors.

"We just had some congratulations with each other," WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert told reporters at around 3 a.m. ET, shortly after the agreement was reached in New York. "It’s been, obviously, a process, but we’re very proud to be leading women’s sports. These players are amazing, and we’re going to have an amazing 30th season tipping off in May.”

Another source with knowledge of the terms said that no disruption to the 2026 WNBA schedule is expected.