Caitlin Clark Set to Increase Influence at CBA Negotiations
As the October 31, 2025 deadline for the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations between the Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) and WNBA league officials approaches, both parties are working diligently to reach an agreement.
The WNBPA opted out of the existing 2020 CBA early in October 2024, accelerating discussions. The key issues in contention include revenue sharing, player salaries, working conditions, and benefits. The players argue that the league's growth in media rights, attendance, and valuations merits a "transformational CBA" that better reflects their contributions.
The WNBPA has expressed frustration with the league's counterproposal presented in June, feeling it falls short of addressing their priorities. The WNBPA president, Nneka Ogwumike, is hopeful the outcome will be productive.
The impasse over the CBA is expected to be a major topic in the in-person meeting on Thursday, the first such meeting since December. Notable attendees include Caitlin Clark, the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year, who will attend despite not being a team rep and it only being her second season. Her presence at the meeting suggests a level of solidarity between players as negotiations advance.
The WNBPA is aiming to soften the current hard salary cap, another point of contention for WNBA owners. The league is planning to add franchises in Detroit, Cleveland, and Philadelphia, with each market requiring a $250 million expansion fee.
The WNBA is expecting to receive an average of $260 million per year from new TV deals starting in 2026. Team values have exploded, up 180% year-over-year to an average of $269 million in Sportico's WNBA valuations. However, most WNBA teams still lose money, and losses are expected to continue into the next CBA.
The parties remain far apart after exchanging proposals over the last few months. The focus remains on reaching an agreement before the deadline to avoid a potential work stoppage or lockout for the 2026 season. Both sides acknowledge the high stakes, and continued meetings are planned in the coming months.
As the negotiations progress, the WNBPA is amplifying public messaging to build pressure, while the league maintains a cautious negotiation posture without detailed public disclosures. WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson wants significant progress made before the All-Star weekend. Phoenix Mercury star Satou Sabally will not play in the All-Star Game due to an ankle injury but will still attend the CBA meeting.
Expenses have jumped at the league level, including the charter flight plan that costs $25 million per year. Despite these challenges, the WNBA is optimistic about its future, with several players expressing hope for a fair deal that reflects the league's growth and the contributions of its players.
In summary:
- Current CBA expiration: October 31, 2025
- Opt-out exercised: October 2024
- Main negotiation issues: Revenue sharing, pay, working conditions, benefits
- Player union stance: Seeking transformational deal reflecting league growth
- League stance: Counterproposal seen as insufficient by players
- Negotiation tone: Constructive but contentious
- Potential outcome risk: Work stoppage/lockout if no deal by Oct. 31
Fan engagement in the WNBA could be impacted if the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations between the WNBPA and league officials fail to reach an agreement before October 31, 2025, potentially leading to a work stoppage or lockout in the 2026 season. The WNBPA’s push for a "transformational CBA" that better reflects the contributions of players includes issues such as revenue sharing, player salaries, working conditions, and benefits, with the players arguing that the league's growth in media rights, attendance, and valuations merits a more equitable deal.
