The WNBPA and the WNBA The football players’ union (WNBPA) has engaged in marathon negotiations to try to reach a collective agreement before crucial deadlines. But there seem to be two sticking points holding things up.
Speaking to reporters Saturday in Manhattan, WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike said the main focus of the latest round of negotiations centered on revenue sharing and player housing. She said the WNBPA views both elements as equally important and necessary to define.
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“The fact that we are talking about housing here shows that we care about every stakeholder, the same way we do about revenue sharing,” Ogwumike said: via the Sports Front Office. “It is very important for us to clarify these two things, which are the most important thing on the agenda today.”
Revenue sharing, however, is the “most important item” on the agenda.
“We have the biggest cost item, and that’s the big thing we really want to fix,” Ogwumike said. “I hope it can happen soon. We want a significant share.”
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Status of negotiations
WNBA-WNBPA negotiations have been difficult in recent days. According to the report, Friday’s negotiating session lasted 15 hours, bringing the total of this week’s negotiations to 50 hours. There were reportedly at least 15 different ABC proposals exchanged between the two parties.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said Friday that it is crucial that a new CBA be signed by Monday, March 16 to prevent the mandatory shutdown from interfering with the preseason schedule. Engelbert added that while she thinks a deal can be reached by then, it will be difficult.
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 15: Caitlin Clark poses with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected first overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on April 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)Sarah Stier/Getty Images
(Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
“Can things happen in 24 to 48 hours? Sure,” Engelbert said. “But not much more before we start thinking about, can we open training camp?”
It’s not even clear what overall progress has been made. WNBPA Executive Director Terri Carmichael Jackson said the two sides had reached agreement on “some things” but did not go into detail.
The WNBA season is scheduled to begin on May 8, but there are a host of key off-season events in April that cannot take place if a new deal is not reached.
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This story was originally published by The yarn on March 15, 2026, where he first appeared in the WNBA section. Add The Spun as Favorite source by clicking here.
