WNBA, Players Union Agree To Moratorium While Still Negotiating Salary Structure
The WNBA and the WNBPA have agreed to a moratorium after failing to reach a deal by the extended Jan. 9 deadline
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With both sides still at odds over the next collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) and the WNBPA (Women’s National Basketball Players Association) have agreed to a moratorium after failing to reach a deal by the proposed Jan. 9 deadline.
According to The Associated Press, there will be no business dealings until the two sides reach an agreement on how the league will compensate the players. The recent CBA had been extended twice (it expired Oct. 30, 2026, was then extended to Nov. 30, and once again to Jan. 9, 2026, in hopes of reaching an agreement).
Both sides will continue to negotiate in good faith. The WNBA has never had a work stoppage in its existence.
There will be no signings or player transactions, as before the moratorium was issued, the WNBA, under U.S. labor law, had an obligation to allow teams to extend qualifying offers under the expired CBA. The issue appears to stem from differing views on salaries and revenue sharing.
Although the WNBA’s current offer provides players with a substantial increase in average annual salaries, the union believes it still isn’t enough.
The most recent offer guarantees a maximum base salary of $1 million, starting this season, that could rise to $1.3 million through revenue sharing. The last CBA had a maximum cap of $249,000, meaning the maximum salary will increase by almost four times.
With the latest proposal, players would receive more than 70% of net revenue. That would be after expenses are paid. Those expenses would include better amenities for players, such as upgraded facilities, charter flights, five-star hotels, medical services, security, and arenas.
The average salary would be more than $530,000, which is more than the current $120,000, and grow to more than $770,000 over the life of the agreement. The minimum salary would be up from $67,000 to approximately $250,000 in the first year.
In response to the league’s latest offer, the union countered with a proposal that players receive approximately 30% of gross revenue. The player’s cut would be from money generated before expenses for the first year, while giving teams a $10.5 million salary cap to sign players. They would also want the revenue-sharing percentage to go up each year.