WNBA, players meet virtually, need deal by March 10 for season to start on time
Story by
WNBA, players meet virtually, need deal by March 10 for season to start on time
Meghan L. Hall, USA TODAY·USA TODAY Sports
·
4 min read
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
The WNBA and WNBPA met Monday in a virtually, as the start to the2026 season quickly approaches, two people with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they're not authorized to speak publicly about ongoing negotiations.
The virtual meeting was the first meeting between the league and the players' union since itmet for nearly three hours on Feb 2. On the call were more than 50 WNBA players, including the entire WNBPA executive committee, along with league staff, the labor relations committee and owners asCBA negotiationscontinue.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
The WNBA shared said a term sheet for a new CBA must be completed by March 10, one source said, to avoid a delay in the start of the 2026 season. Opening day is scheduled for May 8.
It's worth noting even if an agreement is reached by the March 10 deadline, it could take several weeks to ratify the deal. Additionally, the expansion drafts for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo need to be held along with free agency and the 2026 WNBA Draft before the season can start.
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
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
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
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
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
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 of the Las Vegas Aces.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
10/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
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
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
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
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: NaLyssa Smith (3) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts during the third quarter.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
16/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
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
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
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
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Kahleah Copper (2) of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates after her 3-point basket.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
22/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
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
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
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
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon looks on.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
26/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
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
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury grabs a rebound against the Las Vegas Aces.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
29/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
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
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces grabs a rebound against Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Revenue sharing for 2025 season
The latest CBA negotiations development comes on the heels of the WNBPA revealing, for the first time in league history, in 2025, theWNBA reportedly generated enough revenue to shareit with its players. The union says the WNBA's 13 teams are set to receive $8 million total from the league to share with players.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Last season, the players' portion of shared revenue reportedly equaled $16 million. From that sum, $8 million is set to be paid to players who were active in 2025. The 2020 CBA mandates that the other $8 million is allocated to league marketing agreements. Per the report, it's not immediately clear what amount of revenue was generated by the league or the financial number required to trigger the sharing.
The WNBPA also recently revealed that $9.25 million generated since 2020 will go to players from jersey sales, trading cards, video games and other merchandise.
Latest WNBA proposal on housing
The WNBPA's revelation also comes just days after, on Feb. 20, the WNBA sent a counterproposal to the players' union after receiving the WNBPA's latest offer for a new collective bargaining agreement on Feb. 17, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they're not authorized to speak publicly about ongoing negotiations.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
In the Feb. 20 counter, the WNBA agreed to provide housing for all players in this first year of the agreement, this season. After 2026, players making the minimum salary and with zero years of service would get one-bedroom apartments in 2027 and 2028. Developmental players would be given studio apartments for the full six seasons of the deal, which would end in 2031.
WNBA teams have provided player housing since the first CBA in 1999. Teams could provide a one-bedroom apartment or stipend in the last CBA.
Revenue sharing and salary cap
While the two sides may be getting closer on the housing issue, salary cap and revenue sharing are still big issues. There have been "no movements" from the league on either, the person with knowledge of the situation said. Additionally, there have also been "no movements" on items such as the season start date, number of games, rookie scale contract length or salary protections.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
On Feb. 17, the WNBPA requested 25% of gross revenue in the first year, increasing over the life of the agreement to an average of roughly 27.5%. The union also proposed a salary cap of less than $9.5 million. The WNBA is currently offering more than 70% of league and team net revenue and proposing a salary cap of $5.65 million per year, rising with league revenues.
The WNBA offer continues to include a maximum $1 million base salary, with a projected revenue-sharing component that raises players' max total earnings to more than $1.3 million in 2026. The league's maximum salary would grow to nearly $2 million over the life of the agreement, which would end in 2031. The minimum salary would be more than $250,000 and average salary more than $530,000.
A person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports there is a sense of urgency from the players' union, but the WNBPA does not feel the WNBA is acting with urgency. According to the person, the latest proposal from the league felt "baffling," given comments from NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
"I want to play whatever role would be most productive in getting a deal done. We need to now move toward the next level of sense of urgency and not lose momentum in terms of the amazing amount of progress we've seen in women's basketball."
