The WNBA and the players’ union are scheduled to convene in New York on Monday after a long hiatus to revitalize the stagnant collective bargaining discussions. Kelsey Plum, the vice president of the players union, disclosed the upcoming meeting to journalists while gearing up for a game in Philadelphia with the 3-on-3 league Unrivaled.
Expressing optimism, Plum emphasized the significance of the meeting and the mutual understanding of the stakes involved by both the league and the players. She highlighted her positive approach towards the meeting and the potential outcomes it could bring.
Joining Plum at the meeting will be other members of the executive council, such as Nneka Ogwumike and Napheesa Collier, alongside union leadership. On the league’s side, the negotiating team will include WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, the labor relations committee, and a few team owners, according to a reliable source close to the situation.
The individual, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the negotiations, revealed that the league had been pushing for the meeting for several weeks, and the union finally agreed on Thursday. Players at Unrivaled mentioned that union leadership had been actively engaging with them, including throughout the week.
Negotiations for a new CBA have hit a standstill in recent weeks, with the union awaiting a response to a proposal submitted around Christmas, which proposed a 30% gross revenue share for the players. However, the league reportedly found this proposal to be similar to the previous one, as per another undisclosed source due to the sensitivity of the negotiations.
The most recent offer from the league last month outlined a potential maximum base salary of $1 million USD in 2026, which could escalate to $1.3 million through revenue sharing, a substantial increase from the current $249,000. The ongoing “status quo” period ensued after the expiration of the CBA extension on January 9, leading to a moratorium on free agency and potential delays in the upcoming season.
Failure to reach a new CBA agreement promptly may further postpone the commencement of the 2026 season. Already, the expansion draft for Toronto and Portland has been delayed, despite the league releasing the schedule for the regular season starting on May 8. The last CBA, announced in January 2020, was finalized a month after the initial agreement, indicating potential delays in the upcoming free agency period post a new agreement.
