The WNBA and its players union remain far apart in collective bargaining, with players demanding more than double the revenue share offered by the league.
The league and union both propose salary systems based on league revenue, but the two sides have markedly different approaches to calculating player compensation, which has created a wedge in the protracted negotiations.
Advertisement
The National Women’s Basketball Players Association recently proposed that players receive about 30% of total league and team revenue, sources familiar with the discussions said. Athletics. Under the WNBA’s latest salary system proposal, players would receive less than 15 percent of the league’s total revenue, with that percentage decreasing over the lifespan of the CBA, based on league revenue projections.
In the union’s proposal, the salary cap would be determined by taking players’ share of the previous season’s total revenue, subtracting the cost of various perks given to players and dividing that figure by the number of teams, sources said. Some of these benefits include medical insurance costs, local transportation costs, and housing. The union is proposing mandatory audits of leagues and teams to ensure accurate accounting and transparency, the sources said.
In the first year of the deal, players would receive 29 percent of the previous season’s gross revenue, with a one-time adjustment applied to reflect the WNBA’s new 11-year, $2.2 billion media rights deal that takes effect next season. In each subsequent season, players’ share of total league and team revenues would increase by one percent, with players earning 34 percent of the previous season’s gross revenues in the final year of the proposed CBA.
As previously noted, the WNBA is proposing a system in which a portion of the league’s revenue would be shareable, with 50% of that portion going to the players. How this shareable metric is determined is unclear, but it is not expected to include total league revenue. This would result in estimated average salaries of at least $500,000 and projected total compensation of $1.2 million for the maximum players in the first year of the deal. The latter figure is expected to increase over the life of the agreement.
Advertisement
The union’s proposal does not include concrete figures on maximum player salaries. However, this should allow the highest paid players in the league to earn over $1 million per season.
The two sides have continued to exchange proposals since agreeing on a second extension of time on November 30. The current collective agreement will expire on January 9.
The WNBA recently rejected a WNBPA proposal that players would have received 33 percent of total revenue for each year of the deal, sources said, leading to a gradual 1 percent year-over-year increase in the proposal submitted by the union last week.
Kelsey Plum, WNBPA senior vice president and All-Star guard for the Los Angeles Sparks, said Friday that talks between the two sides have not progressed as she hoped since the last extension agreement.
Advertisement
“It’s a little discouraging, just frustration in the negotiation and how far we are,” Plum said.
“This is the greatest moment the WNBA has ever seen, and it’s not something that can be squandered, and we’re going to fight for everything we deserve,” said Fever All-Star guard Caitlin Clark.
Issues other than salary structure were also addressed in the league and union proposals.
A recent league proposal included the possibility of a draft combine, extending the season’s footprint and eliminating team-issued accommodations. The union continued to push for the elimination of the primary designation – the WNBA’s proverbial “franchise tag” – as well as shorter rookie contracts.
Advertisement
Here is the status of discussions on different topics:
Roster sizes and development spots
The WNBPA has proposed requiring teams to carry 12 players at all times. Each team can currently carry a maximum of 12 players and a minimum of 11.
The WNBPA is also proposing that teams be allowed to sign two additional developmental players, who would receive a stipend and could play in up to 10 games per season at a prorated league minimum salary, before signing a contract for the remainder of the season. Developing players would also get all the benefits.
Number of games
The current WNBA CBA allows up to 44 games per season. As part of the league’s recent expansion boom, the union is proposing to increase the number of games per season to 48, when the league has 15, 16 or 17 teams. That would bring up to 50 games in an 18-team league, according to the union’s proposal. The league is proposing the possibility of playing even more games than the union is proposing, starting in 2027. This comes as the league is proposing the possibility of opening training camps in mid-March.
Advertisement
Wearable technology
While several teams require players to use wearable technology during practices to track their performance, players are currently not allowed to wear such technology during games. The WNBA is proposing the mandatory wearing of this technology in games next season, but the union is proposing a ramp-up period with the possibility of wearing such technologies in 2026 and 2027, then making them mandatory in games in 2028.
Salary exceptions
The WNBPA is proposing that salary exceptions be added to the next CBA agreement. Certain exceptions would result in a relaxation of the performance-based salary cap system, including increasing the remuneration of top-performing players on rookie contracts.
Advertisement
Parental leave
The current CBA does not include a leave policy for non-maternal parents. However, throughout negotiations, the WNBPA and the league exchanged proposals regarding parental leave for non-nursing parents. Athletics previously reported that a league proposal gave non-breastfeeding parents a week of paid parental leave. The union offers four weeks of paid parental leave.
Security
The union is proposing that the teams increase the number of full-time security employees to two. The added safety measure is part of the union’s proposal requiring teams to hire non-coaching staff, including physical therapists, athletic trainers and team doctors.
Advertisement
Mental health
The union wants players to receive up to $500 per month in reimbursement for out-of-network mental health services in the new CBA. The league included access to mental health care in its proposals, but it rejected reimbursement for out-of-network and non-league-approved providers.
Retirement benefits
The parties discussed a one-time payment for former players with a certain number of years of service. For retired players who competed at least four years in the WNBA and are not currently covered by health insurance, the WNBPA also proposes that the league reimburse up to $1,500 per year for them to undergo various physical exams. The league is proposing to include a health screening program that would take place during key events on the calendar, but it would not cover travel costs for participants.
Advertisement
This article was originally published in Athletics.
Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, Seattle Storm, Los Angeles Sparks, Washington Mystics, Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Indiana Fever, Dallas Wings, Las Vegas Aces, Phoenix Mercury, Golden State Valkyries, Portland Fire, Toronto Tempo, WNBA, Sports Business
2025 The Athletic Media Company
