WNBA Players Celebrate CBA Victory at NCAA Women's Final Four

New revenue-sharing model and salary increases mark a turning point for women's sports.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:55pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented WNBA basketball game, with overlapping planes of color and movement capturing the dynamic energy of the sport.The WNBA's new revenue-sharing model and player salary increases signal a transformative moment for women's professional basketball.Phoenix Today

WNBA stars were out in force at the NCAA women's basketball Final Four weekend in Phoenix, basking in the success of their newly signed collective bargaining agreement. The new CBA includes a revenue-sharing model and significant salary increases for both veteran players and rookies, signaling a major shift in the landscape of women's sports.

Why it matters

The WNBA's new CBA represents a landmark moment for women's sports, providing better pay and benefits for players and helping to bridge the gap between the college and professional ranks. This investment in women's basketball is expected to drive increased viewership, fan engagement, and overall growth of the sport.

The details

WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike was on site at the Final Four, advising outgoing college seniors like UCLA's Lauren Betts and UConn's Azzi Fudd to 'savor every moment' as they prepare for next week's WNBA draft. The new rookie salary scale ranges from around $290,000 to $500,000 for first-round picks, a significant increase from the $76,535 earned by 2024 first pick Caitlin Clark.

  • The NCAA women's basketball Final Four took place in Phoenix, Arizona on April 4-6, 2026.
  • The WNBA draft is scheduled for next week in New York City.

The players

Nneka Ogwumike

President of the Women's National Basketball Players' Association (WNBPA).

Lauren Betts

Outgoing senior on the UCLA women's basketball team.

Azzi Fudd

Outgoing senior on the UConn women's basketball team.

Aliyah Boston

Player for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA.

Caitlin Clark

2024 first overall pick in the WNBA draft.

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What they’re saying

“We've really been doing our best to try and bridge this gap between the college ranks and the pros.”

— Nneka Ogwumike, WNBPA President

“Especially coming into this draft, lives are really going to be changed with what we were able to gain out of this last agreement.”

— Nneka Ogwumike, WNBPA President

“Women's sports is completely on the rise—the viewership, the eyes, the attention, the fan bases. It's just at its peak right now and it's super special because I know it's just going to grow and thrive, and there's no better feeling than that.”

— Aliyah Boston, Indiana Fever Player

What’s next

The 2026 WNBA draft is scheduled for next week in New York City, where the top college prospects will learn their professional fate and begin their journeys in the league.

The takeaway

The WNBA's new CBA represents a landmark moment for women's sports, providing better pay and benefits for players and helping to bridge the gap between the college and professional ranks. This investment is expected to drive increased viewership, fan engagement, and overall growth of the women's game.