As NBA Commissioner Adam Silver famous throughout All-Star Weekend, the WNBA collective bargaining settlement is swiftly approaching the eleventh hour. The gamers affiliation submitted its proposal, and the league has finally, responded.
It has been 43 days since the newest CBA deadline expired on Jan. 9. Since then, either side have made their concessions. Most lately, the gamers affiliation’s proposal was deemed „unrealistic“ by a spokesperson. As reported beforehand, a supply with data instructed Ballislife that the WNBPA’s amended proposal would end in $460 million in projected losses. Sources inform Ballislife on Saturday that the WNBA has countered.
The query stays: What’s included within the league’s proposal, and what about different central points similar to housing?
A degree of competition beneath negotiations has been the problem of participant lodging. Beneath the expired CBA, gamers obtained a month-to-month housing stipend or got the choice to remain in housing supplied by the workforce. Overlaying the period of the common season and playoffs, the stipend various of their respective cities.
Can verify from a supply that the WNBA has submitted a CBA counter proposal.
The league is proposing housing for all gamers within the first 12 months of the deal.
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— Sara Jane Gamelli (@SaraJGamelli) February 21, 2026
It made sense on the time, and the Los Angeles Sparks allotted the second most funds per 30 days at $2,353. Given the price of hire, particularly in Los Angeles, solely 5 gamers earned a wage north of $100,000—Emma Cannon, Rae Burrell, Azurà Stevens, Kelsey Plum, and Dearica Hamby. Situated in Brooklyn, the New York Liberty allotted a league-high $2,647 for CBA housing funds in 2025.
A number of different gamers—together with Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson––earned $78,066 (rookie offers). Six gamers in complete made beneath $80,000, so it is easy to see why housing fund allocation was an space of concern.
Housing Enhancements Included
A supply with data confirmed to Ballislife that the league not solely proposed an unnumbered wage cap tied to each league and workforce income development, however is presenting a big enhance in salaries. A supply moreover confirmed that the brand new WNBA proposal would come with housing for gamers within the first 12 months of their deal (probably 2026).
The WNBPA and WNBA seem barely out of attain relating to this subject, however WNBA’s newest counter is encouraging. In response to ESPN’s Alexa Philippou, the gamers union was looking for participant housing for „the primary a number of years,“ which means gamers who obtain a multi-year contract and a most wage would finally be chargeable for their very own housing down the street. On condition that rookie scale, hardship, and coaching camp contracts pay minimally, not each deal is assured. On this case, a housing price range would make sense.
In response to Zillow, the typical hire in the USA is $1,995. Nonetheless, a majority of WNBA groups are situated in big-market cities, with New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington DC among the many costliest to reside. In 2025, the typical housing stipend throughout 12 groups was $1,769 in line with the CBA.
With these statistics, the WNBA’s elevated salaries might make up for housing stipends contemplating the league is proposing a most wage of $1.3 million, which is 5 occasions larger than the present tremendous max of $249,244 final season. Moreover, a proposed common wage of $535,000 would mark a considerable enhance from 2025.
Talked about beforehand, the earnings increase would apply to rookies, similar to Aliyah Boston, who was drafted first total in 2023 by the Indiana Fever. Her wage, for instance, would climb to $541,000, which incorporates efficiency bonuses.
What the WNBA Stands Agency On
Whereas it is unclear whether or not the most recent housing proposal strikes the needle, we all know one factor: wage and income share stay on the middle of negotiations. The WNBA is proposing elevated 401(okay) contributions, unique locker rooms, personal weight rooms, remedy areas, household rooms, amongst a number of different boosts.
Each side have made concessions, and the WNBPA lately lowered its provide with a lowered wage cap from over $10 million to $9.5 million. In response to Annie Costabile of Entrance Workplace Sports activities, the WNBA has not moved from its $5.65 million wage cap provide. Whereas the gamers are looking for a 25% share of income, the league is not budging from greater than 15%.
Time is ticking, as preseason and schedules have been rolled out for the tentative 2026 season. 76 days stay till the beginning of the season, and coaching camp is ready to start on Apr. 19. With rising urgency to ink a deal amongst either side, two enlargement drafts (Toronto, Portland), draft night time, and free company are but to be seen.
Will the gamers union settle for the latest provide? What’s going to it take for either side to return to an settlement? You’ll want to observe Ballislife for extra CBA updates.
Sara Jane Gamelli is the Managing Editor and Senior Employees Author at Ballislife.com, in addition to Director of Ballislife Bets. Comply with her on X at @SaraJGamelli.
