The recent proposal for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) from the WNBA, presented on Friday, brings some notable changes regarding housing and facility standards for players. However, it falls short of offering substantial advancements concerning the league's proposed revenue sharing model, as reported by sources to ESPN on Saturday.
Under the new housing provisions, players earning the applicable minimum salary, as well as those with no prior service years, would be entitled to a one-bedroom apartment for the initial three years of the agreement. Additionally, developmental players would receive studio apartments, according to insider information.
The reception of this new CBA proposal by the players remains uncertain, particularly since it was revealed over six weeks after the last offer from the players' association was made around Christmas. Historically, the WNBA has not included housing provisions in their proposals, although since the ratification of the first CBA in 1999, teams have been mandated to provide housing for players. Previously, teams had the option of offering either a one-bedroom apartment or a stipend for housing.
One of the most contentious issues between the league and the players centers around the revenue-sharing structure in the forthcoming deal. The league's current proposal suggests that players receive an average of over 70% of net revenue, which is calculated after deducting expenses. This latest proposal includes a salary cap of $5.65 million for 2026, significantly increasing from approximately $1.5 million in 2025, with projections for growth in subsequent years aligned with revenue increases.
Earlier proposals indicated that maximum salaries, including revenue sharing payouts, would reach $1.3 million in 2026 and could approach $2 million by 2031. To put this into perspective, the supermax salary for 2025 stood at $249,000, while the average salary for players, inclusive of revenue sharing, was expected to climb to $540,000 in 2026 and $780,000 by 2031, a considerable rise from $120,000 in 2025.
Conversely, the players have advocated for a salary cap of $10.5 million and have requested to receive 30% of gross revenue, which is calculated before expenses are deducted. They argue that the league’s proposal amounts to less than 15% of gross revenue. Sources indicate the league fears that adopting the union's plan could lead to $700 million in losses throughout the agreement, threatening the financial stability of the league. However, the union contends that their revenue-sharing model would still maintain the league in a profitable position, dismissing the league’s projected loss figure as “absolutely false,” attributing the discrepancy to differing views on whether expansion fees should be considered in these calculations.
On Monday, a crucial bargaining session took place involving players, owners, and league officials. Materials from this meeting, which were reviewed by ESPN, revealed that the league is also proposing more guaranteed contracts per team and the addition of two new spots for developmental players on rosters.
Additional highlights from the league's previous proposal include provisions for trade consent for pregnant players, the cessation of marijuana testing, increased contributions to players' 401(k) retirement plans, new staffing requirements for teams, and a recognition payment for retired players.
A source stated that during Monday’s discussions, players underscored the critical need for improvements in housing and facility standards; while the league's new proposal does incorporate some elements related to facilities, specific details about these standards remain unclear.
In the coming days, leadership from the WNBPA will convene to evaluate the league’s proposal. Notably, the player body had previously granted the executive committee the authority to call a strike back in December, a strategy they refer to as being a measure they can employ if necessary.
Looking ahead, the start of the WNBA's 2026 season is set for May 8, but reaching an agreement on a new CBA is essential before that date, alongside conducting a two-team expansion draft and initiating free agency processes for all but two of the veterans in the league.
