WNBPA makes concessions in latest CBA proposal, negotiations continue
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WNBPA makes concessions in latest CBA proposal, negotiations continue
Meghan L. Hall, USA TODAY·USA TODAY Sports
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4 min read
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The Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) made concessions in its latest CBA proposal submitted to the WNBA, 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.
The source confirmed Tuesday the players' union submitted a counterproposal in response to the WNBA'sFeb. 7 submission. In Tuesday's proposal, 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 $9.5M.
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The latest revenue share percentage is less than theproposal in December, where players requested 30% of gross revenue. The WNBA is currently offering more than 70% of league and team net revenue. The league is also proposing a salary cap of $5.65 million per year, rising with league revenues.
In Tuesday's proposal, the WNBPA also advocated for housing to continue in the early years of a player's career. The union proposes that housing could be shed in later years of a contract and would be adjusted and phased out with players who make a certain amount of money on a multi-year fully guaranteed contract.
In the Feb. 7 proposal, the WNBA conceded team-provided housing. In the revised agreement, one-bedroom apartments would be available for players making the minimum salary. Additionally, two developmental players on each roster would be provided with studio apartments. The players' union also voiced setting a standard for team facilities that would be codified in the new CBA, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY.
The WNBA issued a statement saying: "The Players Association's latest proposal remains unrealistic and would cause hundreds of millions of dollars of losses for our teams. We still need to complete two Drafts and free agency before the start of training camp and are running out of time. We believe the WNBA's proposal would result in a huge win for current players and generations to come."
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)
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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)
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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)
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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
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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
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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)
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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)
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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
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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
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Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) dribbles against Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2).
(Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)
20/30
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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
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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
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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)
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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)
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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 players' unions proposal would, according to a second person with knowledge of the situation, result in projected losses of $460 million over the lifetime of the agreement for WNBA teams. The person went on to share that the deal has to benefit both the players and teams to ensure continued investment and growth in the league.
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The WNBA offer includes a maximum $1 million base salary, with a projected revenue-sharing component that raises players' maximum 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 the average salary would be more than $530,000.
The WNBA is also offering a significant increase to existing rookie scale contracts. The first pick in the 2023 draft,Indiana FevercenterAliyah Boston, would have her 2026 salary increase to more than $541,000.
The WNBA has agreed to new minimum facility standards, enhanced team staffing requirements, codified charter flight travel, increased performance bonuses, increased 401(k) contributions and salary cap exceptions for injured and pregnant players.
A person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports there is still asense of urgency from the players' union. According to the person, the desire to play in 2026 remains, along with securing a transformational deal where the WNBPA "doesn't negotiate against themselves." As the two sides continue to negotiate, the players' union sent the league dates to meet in person, the person said.
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The regular seasonis scheduled to start May 8. However, before that can happen, the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire will have expansion drafts. Free agency and the2026 WNBA draftalso need to take place.
"I'm feeling better. I'm feeling like the owners are finally really acknowledging and being receptive of what we want and the players as well," WNBPA vice president Breanna Stewart saidearlier this month.
"I'm hoping we can get this thing done quickly so then we're not late [to start the 2026 season]. That's the thing. It's like I've been telling them, is ― now that we're a part of a revenue-shared model, you miss games, it's less money. Not to say that we should submit and just say yes to any proposal that we don't like, but this is a business now. This is how businesses go."
