The WNBA and its players’ union have implemented a moratorium for league operations. This decision came after the failure to reach an agreement on a new collective bargaining deal or an extension of the current one by the deadline on Friday. Negotiations are ongoing, but significant disparities exist, particularly regarding salaries and revenue sharing.
The moratorium will pause the initial stages of free agency, where teams typically issue qualifying offers and franchise tag designations to players. Before the moratorium, the WNBA was obligated under U.S. labor law to allow teams to send out qualifying offers based on the expired CBA agreement, with Sunday being the designated day for this process.
While both sides see the reasoning behind the moratorium, they remain divided on essential matters. The league’s recent offer proposed a maximum base salary of $1 million in 2026, potentially reaching $1.3 million through revenue sharing, a substantial increase from the current $249,000. Players could see their earnings grow to nearly $2 million over the agreement’s duration, according to a source close to the negotiations.
The league’s proposal ensures players receive over 70% of net revenue, accounting for profits after expenses like upgraded facilities, charter flights, top-tier accommodations, medical services, security, and arena expenses. By 2026, the average player salary would exceed $530,000, a significant rise from the current $120,000, potentially reaching over $770,000 over the agreement’s term. The minimum salary would also increase from $67,000 to around $250,000 in the initial year, with young star players such as Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers set to earn nearly double the league minimum while still on rookie contracts.
One of the primary challenges in negotiations is revenue sharing. The union’s counterproposal suggests players should receive approximately 30% of gross revenue, calculated before deducting expenses in the first year. Additionally, teams would have a $10.5 million salary cap for player signings. The union’s proposal includes a gradual increase in the revenue-sharing percentage annually.