The WNBA and its gamers’ union seem unlikely to finalize a brand new collective bargaining settlement earlier than the Oct. 31 deadline, elevating the potential for an extension or perhaps a work stoppage for the primary time in league historical past.
An individual aware of the negotiations instructed Entrance Workplace Sports activities that each side might have to increase the deadline to keep away from an instantaneous disruption. That state of affairs has performed out earlier than — in 2019, the WNBA and the Girls’s Nationwide Basketball Gamers Affiliation agreed to a 60-day extension earlier than finally finalizing a brand new CBA in January of the next yr.
This time, although, the stakes are considerably increased. The league is in the course of unprecedented monetary development, document attendance, and long-term enlargement plans. Lacking the deadline wouldn’t solely stall free company and enlargement procedures however may additionally create a labor standoff that has by no means occurred within the WNBA’s practically three-decade historical past.
Union Sees Lack of Urgency from WNBA
Union leaders have repeatedly stated they’re pushing for what they name a “transformational” deal, with gamers looking for a construction that displays the league’s development. WNBPA govt director Terri Carmichael Jackson stated in an announcement that the union believes the league has didn’t match the urgency required.
“The gamers are working diligently to realize a transformational CBA that builds on the expansion, momentum, and optimistic information surrounding girls’s sports activities and the W,” Jackson stated. “As we strategy the 60-day mark, the league’s lack of urgency leaves gamers questioning whether it is targeted on making this work or simply working out the clock. Followers don’t want that. They’re with the gamers in demanding a brand new normal for the W.”
The league countered {that a} deal stays its prime precedence and pushed again on the union’s suggestion of inaction. A spokesperson emphasised that the WNBA has been in constant dialogue with the union and intends to maintain negotiating till an settlement is reached.
“Now we have been clear with the WNBPA however so there isn’t a doubt—our primary precedence is to get a brand new collective bargaining settlement accomplished that addresses the gamers’ priorities whereas additionally supporting the long-term development and success of the league and groups,” a league spokesperson instructed FOS, including that further conferences are already scheduled by means of the rest of the season.
Napheesa Collier: “We’re Not Making a Lot of Progress”
Minnesota Lynx ahead Napheesa Collier, who serves as vice chairman on the manager committee of the WNBPA, has been outspoken concerning the state of negotiations. She stated the gamers really feel the method has stalled with little tangible progress made.
“It feels prefer it’s sort of standard, standard. We’re not making numerous progress … it’s unlucky, we clearly wish to get a deal carried out and it feels just like the league doesn’t have that very same urgency and the deadline is rapidly approaching,” Collier stated. “I really feel like we’re not shut proper now.”
Collier has additionally emphasised the broader requirements the gamers are looking for, significantly round services and day-to-day assets that many franchises nonetheless lack. She praised Unmatched, a brand new girls’s basketball league, for showcasing the kind of setting gamers consider must be normal within the WNBA.
“I feel it’s simply nice that we’re opening up folks’s eyes to what it must be like,” she stated. “For therefore lengthy we now have been compelled to just accept lower than what we must be owed. Like everybody ought to have a observe facility, everybody ought to have entry to a health club 24/7, everybody ought to have privateness after they’re altering and never in entrance of strangers.”
Napheesa Collier on the CBA discussions
“It feels prefer it’s sort of standard, standard, we’re not making numerous progress… it’s unlucky, we clearly wish to get a deal carried out and it feels just like the league doesn’t have that very same urgency and the deadline is rapidly… pic.twitter.com/fRuSpiaIae
— Andrew Dukowitz (@adukeMN) August 26, 2025
Income Sharing at Heart of Dispute
Income sharing is anticipated to be the central sticking level. Within the NBA, gamers obtain roughly half of the league’s basketball-related revenue, with the wage cap tied on to income. That construction helped gasoline a ten% cap enhance heading into the 2025–26 season.
The WNBA, in contrast, operates below a hard and fast mannequin that caps annual development at 3%. That provision was negotiated at a time when the league’s enterprise mannequin was much less steady. Since then, nevertheless, the WNBA has introduced an 11-year, $2.2 billion media rights deal and picked up document enlargement charges — $250 million apiece from Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia.
Gamers say the enterprise development ought to straight translate to their compensation and advantages. The league, whereas acknowledging the expansion, has insisted the brand new CBA should stability participant calls for with long-term monetary sustainability.
Satou Sabally Criticizes Abroad, Unmatched Restrictions
Phoenix Mercury ahead Satou Sabally, additionally a outstanding union voice, added one other layer to the controversy. She criticized the WNBA for discouraging gamers from competing abroad or in Unmatched, saying these alternatives typically present stronger monetary incentives.
“I wasn’t conscious that they already publicly introduced that. I imply that’s flawed,” Sabally instructed Desert Storm Media. “I made extra money at Unmatched than any yr in my total WNBA profession.”
Her remarks spotlight the monetary realities many gamers nonetheless face. For years, prime WNBA gamers sought supplemental revenue in abroad leagues, with some making a number of instances their WNBA salaries. The expansion of Unmatched has added a home various, elevating questions on whether or not the WNBA can compete financially.
Phoenix Mercury ahead Satou Sabally stated the WNBA doesn’t need its gamers to play abroad or in Unmatched.
“I wasn’t conscious that they already publicly introduced that. I imply that’s flawed. I made extra money at Unmatched than any yr in my total WNBA profession.”#WNBA pic.twitter.com/CMHgNHgUqa
— Desert Wave Media (@DesertWaveCo) August 27, 2025
WNBA Growth Provides Stress
The urgency is heightened by enlargement. The WNBA is making ready so as to add two new franchises in 2026 — the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fireplace — with Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia slated to affix by 2030. Growth drafts and free company guidelines can’t be set till a brand new CBA is in place, making the timing of the settlement essential.
And not using a deal, the league dangers disrupting each its offseason calendar and its skill to combine new franchises easily. For gamers, enlargement represents not solely new markets but additionally the potential for much-needed roster development — one of many key priorities in negotiations.
In 2019, an extension allowed talks to proceed with out a work stoppage. Whereas such a transfer is feasible once more, each side acknowledge the stakes are increased this time. The league has by no means misplaced video games to a lockout or strike, although the 2003 season did see a delayed draft and preseason.
Negotiations at a Crossroads
The gamers have stated they’re ready to stay on the negotiating desk till a deal is secured, irrespective of how lengthy it takes. They consider the timing — coming at a second of unprecedented visibility and income development — provides them leverage they didn’t have in previous negotiations.
“Followers don’t want delays or lowered requirements,” Jackson stated. “They’re with the gamers in demanding a brand new normal for the W.”
For Collier, the deadline strain is obvious. “The deadline is coming quick,” she stated. “I really feel like we’re not shut proper now.”
