Mar 22, 2026
3 min read
The WNBA and players' union have taken the next step in a new collective bargaining agreement, signing a term sheet.
The WNBA and the players union have reached the next step in their new collective bargaining agreement, signing a contract document.
Lawyers for both sides are now awaiting approval from the players and approval from the league's board of governors as they continue to write the new CBA.
The new seven-year CBA, which will begin this season and run through 2032, represents a significant labor agreement for the league.
"This collective bargaining agreement represents a defining moment in the WNBA's 30-year history and for all of women's professional sports," said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
It will only take a simple majority of the players to ratify the new CBA.That vote and a vote by the WNBA Board of Directors are expected soon.The association held informational meetings with the athletes in the last few days.They have held a series of sessions to accommodate players playing abroad.
Here are some key points from the CBA.
The salary cap for the 2026 season is projected to be $7 million with an average salary of $585,000.Top players can earn more than $1 million for the first time in league history, with a super cap of nearly $1.4 million.That cap could rise to $11 million by 2032 if revenue projections are good.That's a maximum salary of $2.4 million.
The salary cap can change by up to 10% in any direction each year, except after the first season, when it can go up or down by 13%, according to a person familiar with the contract.The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the negotiations, spoke to The Associated Press.
The minimum salary this year will be between $270,000 and $300,000, rising to $380,000 by 2032. The average salary before revenue sharing will be $583,000 in 2026 and could exceed $1 million by the end of the contract.
The team will continue to pay for housing for the first three years of the deal.In 2029 and 2030, teams will pay for housing for players making $500,000 or less.After that, the team will only pay for housing for development players.
The No. 1 pick in next month's draft will receive $500,000.All current rookie contracts will also be adjusted to provide them with a significant pay increase.Rookie contracts will remain for four years.Rookies who earn All-WNBA honors will receive the maximum salary in the fourth year of their contract if they sign a three-year contract extension.Caitlin Clark so far is 2027; She will be eligible for Paige Bueckers and Aliyah Boston in 2028.
There has been a significant increase in bonuses offered to players for awards as well as post-season success.Each player on the WNBA championship team will receive $60,000 — nearly triple what they earned last year.The league's Most Valuable Player will earn a $60,000 bonus — a $15,000 increase.All WNBA awards will also triple from last season, with first-team players earning $30,000.They will grow starting in 2027 at the salary cap growth rate.
The league has budgeted more than $300 million in charter travel over the life of the contract.First-class travel accommodations for players at league events will be expanded.The WNBA will increase life insurance premiums by more than $700,000 per player and increase team contributions to 401K retirement accounts.$100,000 for those who play more than that.
Teams are required to have 12 players on their roster and now have two developmental players.These players do not go under the salary cap.Starting in 2027, the franchise tag cannot be assigned to players with more than seven years of service.There is a salary exception for pregnancy and childbirth.A team must now obtain the player's consent before trading a pregnant player.
The league will expand to 50 games in 2027 and 2028 and 52 games in 2029-32.This season starting from May 8, there will be 44 matches again in the league.
