The WNBA and its players’ union have officially implemented a moratorium on league activities. This decision was reached after the two parties failed to come to an agreement on a new collective bargaining deal or an extension of the existing one before the deadline on Friday. Negotiations are ongoing, with significant disparities existing in terms of salaries and revenue sharing.
The moratorium is set to pause the initial phase of free agency, where teams typically extend qualifying offers and designate franchise tags to players. Prior to this, the WNBA was obligated to allow teams to make qualifying offers under the previous CBA agreement. However, the moratorium now halts this process.
Despite the practicality of the moratorium, substantial differences persist between the two sides on crucial matters. The league’s recent proposition, disclosed last month, includes a provision for a maximum base salary of $1 million in 2026 that could potentially increase to $1.3 million through revenue sharing. This marks a significant rise from the current $249,000, with the potential to escalate to nearly $2 million over the agreement’s lifespan.
Under the league’s proposal, players stand to receive over 70% of net revenue, albeit after deducting expenses. These expenses cover various essentials such as upgraded facilities, charter flights, premium accommodations, medical services, security, and arena maintenance.
Looking ahead, the average salary in 2026 is projected to exceed $530,000, a substantial increase from the current $120,000, with potential growth to over $770,000 throughout the agreement’s duration. Additionally, the minimum salary is expected to rise from the current $67,000 to around $250,000 in the initial year.
The proposal also outlines enhanced financial compensation for emerging star players like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers, who are still under their rookie contracts. The suggested changes would almost double the league minimum for these talented individuals.
Amidst the negotiations, revenue sharing remains a pivotal point of contention. The players’ union has put forth a counterproposal that would allocate around 30% of gross revenue to the players. This percentage would be based on revenue generated before expenses in the first year, with teams operating under a $10.5 million salary cap for player signings. The union’s proposal also includes a gradual increase in the revenue sharing percentage annually.
