WNBA Owners Make Small Concessions in Latest CBA Proposal

After six weeks with no response, WNBA players have received a counter-offer to the collective bargaining agreement they proposed to the league in December.

The league sent the union the new proposal Friday night.

In its latest proposal, the league made marginal changes to its proposed revenue sharing percentage, sources familiar with negotiations told Front Office Sports. According to these same sources, the league is still proposing the same revenue sharing system.

That WNBA’s proposed revenue share percentage still does not meet or exceed 15% of total league revenue, sources told FOS. The league’s proposed salary cap increased from $5 million to $5.65 million. 

Additionally, the league has reengaged with the union’s push for team-provided housing in a limited capacity. The union previously proposed two developmental player roster spots per team, which the league conceded to in its last proposal. These players will only be eligible to play a certain number of games and will receive a check for each game they play in addition to a stipend. They will also have access to certain benefits like housing and medical. The WNBA is proposing studio apartments for these players. 

One-bedroom apartments will be provided for players signed to the league’s proposed minimum salary and players with zero years of service, but only for the first three years of the proposed CBA. In 2029, the one-bedroom offering would be removed.  If a player is paid any amount over the league’s proposed minimum salary they will not be eligible for a one-bedroom apartment. 

The league had made other noneconomic concessions before this latest offer, ESPN reported, including agreeing to a pregnant player trade consent clause, the elimination of marijauna testing, and increased performance bonuses. 

Before Friday’s offer, the league was proposing a max base salary of just over $1 million and an average of $465,000, up from $249,244 and roughly $102,000, respectively, in 2025. The union’s last proposal sought a salary cap of about $10.5 million and closer to a 30% share of the league’s total revenue before deductions. 

Beyond finding a middle ground on revenue sharing, the union says players’ highest priorities are housing, retirement benefits, and facilities and team staffing requirements. The league’s last proposal included higher 401(k) contributions, a recognition payment for current retirees, and access for recently retired players to player programs as well as team staffing requirements. 

The recognition payment is $3,000 per year of service. Players eligible to receive this payment have to have eight or more years of service and have retired before this CBA.

It’s unclear if Friday’s counterproposal included any changes in these specific areas beyond what was previously proposed by the league.  

WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike and vice president Alysha Clark told FOS after Monday’s three-hour meeting that the union could not consider a strike before receiving a counterproposal from the league. Union staff plans to meet with player leadership in the coming days to evaluate where they stand after the league’s latest proposal. 

The 2026 WNBA season is slated to begin on May 8. In order to do so, the league would have to conduct an expansion draft for the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire, free agency, and a standard collegiate draft. Multiple sources have expressed a growing concern to FOS that if a deal is not done within the first two weeks of February, the season will be delayed.