After a week of daily 10+ hour meetings, the WNBPA and the WNBA have a verbal agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement that will pay players more this year, even more in the future, and shouldn’t interfere with the amount of games played in 2026.
Let’s talk about what a verbal agreement means:
The big numbers have all been agreed upon. Now, it’s time for attorneys for both sides to produce the exacting language that will be the governing literature, the letters of the law, for the league.
The process of writing and agreeing to, or ratifying, the contract will take a while. “The league originally allotted about three weeks for this process but will likely push to have it finished by April 1 to keep the trains moving.”
Based on language from the league and the players, I would expect little to no trouble in getting this task done, though it will take as long as it takes, as no one wants to make a mistake that could later be exploited.
Okay, so what did everyone agree to?
This CBA will last 7 years, with an option to opt-out after 6 years (the last CBA was opted-out-of last year, leading to this months-long process we just finished).
The salary cap in 2026: $7 million; up from $1.51 million in 2025 (a 363% increase)
Maximum single-player contract: 20% of the cap, or $1.4 million; up from $249,244 (a 460% increase)
Minimum player contract: over $300,000; up from $66,000 in 2025 (a 354% increase)
So when does everything happen?
The league is expected to move forward with the timeline that was previously shared with WNBA general managers. Between April 1 and April 6, teams will go through the entire expansion draft process, including submitting protected player lists and the draft itself. Qualifying offers will go out April 7–8, followed by a negotiating period April 9–11. The signing period will be April 12–18. The collegiate draft will be held on April 13 in New York City. (Front Office Sports)
This is a lot to take in, but before anyone starts to worry too much about specifics, about dates, about next steps, let’s take this moment to celebrate a majority black women’s sports league increasing their payments to players by over 300%, for a women’s league striking a huge new deal after decades of work, for striking while the iron is hot, and for winning, which is never a guarantee.
I look forward to projecting rosters for the Portland Fire, for keeping everyone informed, for stepping into a packed arena for the first time. But today, I’m just gonna enjoy this.
Spare Links
Tons of literature on this deal, and its making. Please feel free to read coverage from the many great people covering the W:
