WNBA and Players Union Reach Tentative CBA Agreement

Deal comes after more than a year of marathon negotiation sessions

Mar. 18, 2026 at 6:56am

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The WNBA and its players union have reached a tentative agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement after more than a year of negotiations. The verbal agreement term sheet will now be sent to the players and the WNBA Board of Governors for a vote, avoiding a potential work stoppage as the league prepares to celebrate its 30th season.

Why it matters

This deal represents a major milestone for the WNBA, as the league and its players have been at odds over key issues like revenue sharing and player compensation. The new CBA is expected to significantly improve player salaries and benefits, which has been a top priority for the union.

The details

The two sides have been negotiating for over a year, with the talks intensifying in recent weeks as they worked to resolve remaining sticking points. Key issues included revenue sharing, prioritization, team-provided housing, retirement and family planning benefits, and facility standards. The agreement will now need to be ratified by both the players and the league's Board of Governors.

  • The WNBA and players union entered a "status quo" period and continued negotiating in good faith after the second deadline extension expired on Jan. 9.
  • The two sides held marathon bargaining sessions in Manhattan over the past week to finalize the deal.
  • The WNBA is scheduled to begin its 30th season on May 8, 2026.

The players

Cathy Engelbert

WNBA commissioner who said the two sides had 'aligned on key elements of a new CBA'.

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What they’re saying

“The verbal agreement term sheet will be sent to the players and the WNBA Board of Governors for a vote.”

— Cathy Engelbert, WNBA Commissioner

What’s next

The terms of the agreed-upon CBA will still need to be ratified by the players and league's Board of Governors, which will push the expansion draft and free agency deeper into the year.

The takeaway

This tentative CBA agreement represents a major breakthrough in the long-running negotiations between the WNBA and its players union. If ratified, the new deal is expected to significantly improve player salaries and benefits, a key priority for the union. The agreement will allow the WNBA to avoid a potential work stoppage as it prepares to celebrate its 30th season.