WNBA players almost unanimously ratify new CBA, union announces
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WNBA players almost unanimously ratify new CBA, union announces
Meghan L. Hall, USA TODAY·USA TODAY Sports
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4 min read
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After agreeing to alandmark CBA agreementon March 18, WNBA players voted to ratify the deal.
WNBPA presidentNneka Ogwumikerevealed the news on ESPN'sFirst Takeon Monday.Ogwumike said90% of players participated in the ratification vote, with the results nearly unanimous.
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"The moment is the result of years of work and a shared belief that as the league rises, so must the players," theWNBPA said in a statement.
"This transformational CBA delivers consequential economic progress and expanded benefits that support players on and off the court. It builds a stronger foundation for today's players, the next generation, and those who helped build the WNBA. It affirms the strength of our union and the power of our collective voice."
Now that theterm sheet has been signedand agreement ratified by the players, it will go to the board of governors for approval.
Game 2: The Las Vegas Aces' Jewell Loyd (24) and A'ja Wilson (22) celebrate after scoring against the Phoenix Mercury.
(Lucas Peltier, Imagn Images)
Game 2: The Las Vegas Aces' A'ja Wilson (22) shoots the ball against the Phoenix Mercury's Alyssa Thomas.
(Lucas Peltier, Imagn Images)
Game 2: The Phoenix Mercury's Kahleah Copper (2) drives the ball past Las Vegas Aces guards Jackie Young (0) and Dana Evans (11).
(Lucas Peltier, Imagn Images)
Game 2: Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) drives the ball against Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally.
(Lucas Peltier, Imagn Images)
Game 2: Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) shoots a layup against Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22).
(Lucas Peltier, Imagn Images)
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) celebrates with teammates after the Aces defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 89-86, at Michelob Ultra Arena.
(Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)
Game 1: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces battles for the ball with Alyssa Thomas #25 and Kahleah Copper #2 of the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Chelsea Gray (12) and A'ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces grab a rebound past DeWanna Bonner (14) and Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) looks to tip a loose ball away from Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33).
(Stephen R. Sylvanie, Imagn Images)
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith (3) shoots against Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4).
(Stephen R. Sylvanie, Sylvanie-Imagn Images)
Game 1: A'ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates after making a basket against the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Megan Gustafson (17) of the Las Vegas Aces.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury looks to shoot the ball against NaLyssa Smith (3) of the Las Vegas Aces.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: NaLyssa Smith (3) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts during the third quarter.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Chelsea Gray (12) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts against the Phoenix Mercury during the fourth quarter.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury drives to the basket against Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) dribbles against Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2).
(Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) drives against Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2).
(Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)
Game 1: Kahleah Copper (2) of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates after her 3-point basket.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Head coach Nate Tibbetts of the Phoenix Mercury looks on during the first quarter.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Maddy Westbeld of the Chicago Sky (left) and Rae Burrell of the Los Angeles Sparks look on.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts in front of Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon looks on.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Dana Evans of the Las Vegas Aces, shoots the ball between Monique Akoa Makani and Natasha Mack of the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces drives to the basket against Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury grabs a rebound against the Las Vegas Aces.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Chelsea Gray of the Las Vegas Aces shoots the ball against Monique Akoa Makani of the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces grabs a rebound against Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
1/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 2: The Las Vegas Aces' Jewell Loyd (24) and A'ja Wilson (22) celebrate after scoring against the Phoenix Mercury.
(Lucas Peltier, Imagn Images)
1/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 2: The Las Vegas Aces' Jewell Loyd (24) and A'ja Wilson (22) celebrate after scoring against the Phoenix Mercury.
(Lucas Peltier, Imagn Images)
2/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 2: The Las Vegas Aces' A'ja Wilson (22) shoots the ball against the Phoenix Mercury's Alyssa Thomas.
(Lucas Peltier, Imagn Images)
3/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 2: The Phoenix Mercury's Kahleah Copper (2) drives the ball past Las Vegas Aces guards Jackie Young (0) and Dana Evans (11).
(Lucas Peltier, Imagn Images)
4/30
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Game 2: Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) drives the ball against Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally.
(Lucas Peltier, Imagn Images)
5/30
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Game 2: Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) shoots a layup against Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22).
(Lucas Peltier, Imagn Images)
6/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) celebrates with teammates after the Aces defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 89-86, at Michelob Ultra Arena.
(Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)
7/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces battles for the ball with Alyssa Thomas #25 and Kahleah Copper #2 of the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
8/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Chelsea Gray (12) and A'ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces grab a rebound past DeWanna Bonner (14) and Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
9/30
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Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
10/30
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Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) looks to tip a loose ball away from Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33).
(Stephen R. Sylvanie, Imagn Images)
11/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith (3) shoots against Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4).
(Stephen R. Sylvanie, Sylvanie-Imagn Images)
12/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: A'ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates after making a basket against the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
13/30
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Game 1: Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Megan Gustafson (17) of the Las Vegas Aces.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
14/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury looks to shoot the ball against NaLyssa Smith (3) of the Las Vegas Aces.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
15/30
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Game 1: NaLyssa Smith (3) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts during the third quarter.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
16/30
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Game 1: Chelsea Gray (12) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts against the Phoenix Mercury during the fourth quarter.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
17/30
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Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury drives to the basket against Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
18/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
19/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) dribbles against Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2).
(Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)
20/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) drives against Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2).
(Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)
21/30
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Game 1: Kahleah Copper (2) of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates after her 3-point basket.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
22/30
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Game 1: Head coach Nate Tibbetts of the Phoenix Mercury looks on during the first quarter.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
23/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Maddy Westbeld of the Chicago Sky (left) and Rae Burrell of the Los Angeles Sparks look on.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
24/30
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Game 1: Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts in front of Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
25/30
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Game 1: Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon looks on.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
26/30
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Game 1: Dana Evans of the Las Vegas Aces, shoots the ball between Monique Akoa Makani and Natasha Mack of the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
27/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces drives to the basket against Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
28/30
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Game 1: Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury grabs a rebound against the Las Vegas Aces.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
29/30
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Game 1: Chelsea Gray of the Las Vegas Aces shoots the ball against Monique Akoa Makani of the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
30/30
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Game 1: A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces grabs a rebound against Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
The new CBA starts in 2026 and will be valid for seven years, running through 2032.
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There will be a $7 million salary cap and $1.4 max salary in Year 1. The cap will be adjusted annually based on league and team growth, and max salaries are expected to grow to more than $2.4 million by 2032. A new system is also increasing player compensation to a projected amount of more than $1 millions in salaries and benefits over the life of the agreement.
In 2026, the average salary in the WNBA is expected to be $583,000 and increase to $1 million over the life of the agreement. The range for minimum salaries will be based on years of service and will be from $270,000 to $300,000 in 2026 to $340,000 to $380,000 by 2032.
Here are some more details of the landmark deal:
WNBA revenue sharing percentage
The average revenue share for the the players is reportedly nearly 20% across deal, up from 9.3%.
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The WNBPA had requested 25% of gross revenue in the first year, increasing over the life of the agreement to an average of roughly 26%. The WNBA was offering more than 70% of league and team net revenue.
WNBA housing for next three years
Housing will be provided for all players starting in 2026 and through 2029. Any players making $500,000 or less will also receive housing in 20209 and 2030. Developmental players will receive housing every year.
WNBA bonus structure
League and postseason awards received increases in bonus money for 2026. For example, teams that win the WNBA championship would receive $60,000 per player (up from $22,908). If a player makes the first-team All-WNBA, they would receive 30,000 (up from $10,300). If the player makes second-team All-WNBA, they receive $15,000 (up from $5,150). If a player wins MVP, they receive $60,000. For Defensive Player of the Year, they would stand to make $30,000 (up from $5,150), and any player who wins Rookie of the Year would receive $15,000 (up from $5,150).
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WNBA CBA rookie contracts and accelerators
For rookies, the league has established a new rookie contract scale, which will increase salaries for top draft picks, including the No. 1 overall pick in 2026. The top pick in this year's draft is projected to earn $500,000. Existing rookie contracts will also be adjusted upward. In the new CBA, there is also a pathway to max contracts for players on rookie deals who earn MVP or All-WNBA honors.
All-WNBA first- and second-team players who are on rookie contracts would become eligible to sign a max contract in their fourth year of service. They would not be eligible for the core designation following an extension, provided that they also sign a three-year extension. Something else new in the CBA is that starting in 2027, players with seven or more years of service cannot receive a core designation.
WNBA roster sizes
The league's deal includes key changes to roster sizes. Teams are now required to have 12 players. They will also have two more roster spots for developmental players and salary cap exceptions for injured or pregnant players.
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Other items included in the CBA
The deal ensures enhanced standards for team facilities, expanded team staffing requirements, league-wide charter air travel, and significantly increased performance bonuses for individual award winners and playoff and Finals participants.
There are also enhancements for retirees and retirement planning, with expanded team contributions to 401(k) accounts and for players with children or who are family planning. WNBA veterans and retired players will also receive recognition payments based on years of service.
The deal also provides a pathway for games to increase from 44 games in 2026 to up to 50 games in 2027 and 2028, and up to 52 games in 2029 through 2032.
