WNBA and Players' Union to Meet as CBA Deadline Nears

Negotiations continue to get the season started on time, AP source says

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The WNBA and the players' union are set to meet on Tuesday to continue discussions on reaching a new collective bargaining agreement as a deadline to get the season started on time is at hand, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

Why it matters

A new CBA is crucial for the WNBA to start its season as scheduled. Revenue sharing has been a key sticking point between the league and the players' union, and reaching an agreement is necessary to allow for important offseason events like the expansion draft and free agency period.

The details

The two sides have been exchanging proposals, with the league sending one on Saturday. Time is running out, as the league has said it would need a deal by Tuesday to be able to have it signed by the end of the month. Under that timeline, the expansion draft for new franchises in Portland and Toronto would be held sometime between April 1-6, free agent qualifying offers would be sent out April 7-8, and the signing period would take place from April 12-18. Training camps would then open, and the season would be able to start on May 8.

  • The meeting is set for Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
  • The league has said it would need a deal by Tuesday, March 10, 2026 to be able to have it signed by the end of the month.

The players

Caitlin Clark

A USA Basketball player who said the two sides should stop sending proposals and instead meet face-to-face until a deal gets done.

Breanna Stewart

The New York Liberty star who agreed with Clark's idea of sitting in a room until a deal is reached.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I don't understand why we don't just get in a room and iron it out and shake hands. That's how business is. You look each other in the eye, you shake hands, you respect both sides. For me, that's what I would love to see.”

— Caitlin Clark (AP)

“I think that would be great for us all to sit in a room until we really get it done. If that means sitting in there for hours and hours at a time, let's do it. That's for the better of the player. While a situation like that has never happened before, there's a first time for everything.”

— Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty star (AP)

What’s next

The league has said it would need a deal by Tuesday, March 10, 2026 to be able to have it signed by the end of the month. Under that timeline, the expansion draft for new franchises in Portland and Toronto would be held sometime between April 1-6, free agent qualifying offers would be sent out April 7-8, and the signing period would take place from April 12-18. Training camps would then open, and the season would be able to start on May 8.

The takeaway

Reaching a new CBA is crucial for the WNBA to start its season as scheduled. The league and players' union have been negotiating, with revenue sharing being a key sticking point. With a tight timeline, the two sides will need to find common ground quickly to ensure the season starts on time and allow for important offseason events like the expansion draft and free agency period.