{"id":5185,"date":"2026-03-18T14:45:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T14:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/westcoastaftershock.com\/wca\/2026\/03\/wnba-players-union-reportedly-come-to-terms-on-a-new-cba\/"},"modified":"2026-03-18T14:45:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T14:45:00","slug":"wnba-players-union-reportedly-come-to-terms-on-a-new-cba","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/westcoastaftershock.com\/wca\/2026\/03\/wnba-players-union-reportedly-come-to-terms-on-a-new-cba\/","title":{"rendered":"WNBA, Players Union Reportedly Come To Terms On A New CBA"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

The 2026 WNBA\u2019s 30th season will go forward.<\/p>\n

\u200bAccording to Yahoo! Sports,<\/a> the WNBA and WNBPA, the players\u2019 union, have reached a tentative agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement early Wednesday morning. The two sides have had intense and often contentious negotiations for more than a year. Details of the new deal have not yet been finalized.<\/p>\n

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert released a short statement saying that the two sides had \u201caligned on key elements of a new CBA.\u201d<\/p>\n

This is historical for women\u2019s sports,\u201d WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike told the AP\u2019s Doug Feinberg<\/a>. \u201cI told Cathy it\u2019s not just for the players that are entering the league or the players that aren\u2019t already here. We\u2019re just really grateful to be able to come to a deal. We\u2019re proud of ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

THE NEW CBA IS \u2018HISTORICAL\u2019<\/h2>\n

\u201cFor the first time, player salaries are tied to a truly meaningful share of league revenue, driving exponential growth in the salary cap, increasing average compensation beyond half a million dollars and raising the standard across facilities, staffing, and support,\u201d union president Nneka Ogwumike said.<\/p>\n

New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart and WNBPA vice president told reporters that the new CBA is \u201ctransformational.\u201d<\/p>\n

The players will now sign the verbal agreement term sheet, and the WNBA Board of Governors will come together for a vote.<\/p>\n

Engelbert confirmed training camp and the 2026 season will start on time. Tip-off for the 2026 season will commence on May 8. Also, the two-team expansion draft for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo will go on as planned.<\/p>\n

Because of the time, free agency, which usually begins in January, will now have an accelerated free agency period.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe still need to finalize a formal term sheet. But the progress made in these discussions marks a transformative step forward for players and the league,\u201d Engelbert said. \u201cIt underscores a shared commitment to the continued growth of the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

WHY THE NBA ALMOST WENT ON STRIKE FOR THE FIRST TIME<\/h2>\n

\u200bIn October 2024, WNBPA triggered its opt-out clause<\/a> of its CBA. This led to the expiration of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) on October 31, 2025. This strategic move was driven by a desire to capitalize on the league\u2019s massive growth in viewership, attendance, and a historic new $2.2 billion media rights deal.<\/p>\n

\n
\n