Nneka Ogwumike, president of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association and star of the Seattle Storm, told ESPN on Friday that players want a 2026 WNBA season despite the union’s strike authorization vote on Thursday.
Players voted to authorize the WNBPA Executive Committee to “call a strike if necessary.” The vote comes less than a month before the current collective agreement expires on January 9, 2026, following two previous expansions from the original deadline of October 31.
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Ogwumike said the vote is a “symbol of our unity and the trust that we have in each other to be able to give us some level of authority in these negotiations.”
“We’re looking to do a lot of things, but we’re also willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen, while understanding that we want a 2026 season,” Ogwumike said. “We want to make sure that this season is the best way for us to put the product on the field and for that product to be valued.”
The league’s latest offer includes a maximum base salary of $1 million, with a projected revenue-sharing component that brings players’ maximum total earnings to more than $1.3 million in 2026, a person with direct knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly about the ongoing negotiations. The league’s maximum salary would reach nearly $2 million over the life of the deal.
The proposal also increases the league’s minimum salary to more than $250,000 and the average salary to more than $530,000, up from current salaries of $67,000 and $120,000., respectively.
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A strike could result in the delay or cancellation of the 2026 season. The WNBA has never experienced a lockout in its 29-year history, although the 2003 WNBA draft and preseason were postponed before a new The ABC has been achieved.
The players favored two main points during the negotiations — increased revenue sharing and salary structures. According to Athleticsthe league proposed revenue sharing at 15% while the union proposed 30%. The parties also differ on how that percentage, as well as the salary cap, would be calculated. “That means we could potentially strike if we need to, but that doesn’t mean we want that to happen,” Ogwumike said. “But we have it in our arsenal to be able to get exactly what we need, which is a fair deal that represents our value in a very meaningful way.
“I want to play and I know I’m going to do a lot of things on behalf of these players, thanks to the incredible leadership of this executive committee. So I’m looking forward to seeing how the conversations can be more collaborative.”
This article was originally published on USA TODAY: WNBPA President Says Players Seek ‘Fair’ CBA Deal
