Negotiations between the WNBA and the players’ union remain unresolved. Both sides move forward cautiously as they try to finalize a new collective bargaining agreement. The league presented a proposal intended to deliver a major shift in its salary structure. However, the union rejected it. This disagreement extends a process already delayed twice and increases the tension between both sides.
The offer included a one-million-dollar base salary for players with maximum contracts. This figure had no precedent in the league. Total earnings could also exceed 1.2 million dollars thanks to revenue sharing. The proposal surpassed the previous structure, which placed maximum yearly compensation at around 1.1 million dollars when including all salary components. Even so, the WNBPA considered the new structure insufficient.
The offer fails to convince the union, and uncertainty grows
According to Palco23 report, the union rejected the proposal two weeks ago. After that, both sides agreed to extend negotiations for six more weeks. The new deadline is January 9, 2026. This is the second extension since the end of the 2025 season. The first came in October, when the WNBPA and WNBA added thirty days to continue talks. If they fail to reach an agreement, a work stoppage could follow. The options would be an owner-initiated lockout or a player-led strike.
Esta fue la ultima propuesta que la WNBA le hizó llegar a la WNBPA.
Obviamente la propuesta no fue aceptada y por eso hay una nueva prórroga hasta el 9 de enero del 2026 para intentar llegar a un acuerdo.Es eso o se viene lockout.
Que la fuerza nos acompañe. pic.twitter.com/xniuef0si6
— FEVER LATAM (@FeverLatam) December 1, 2025
According to ESPN, the new proposal includes a five-million-dollar salary cap in 2026. That cap would increase annually as the league’s revenue grows. The minimum salary for 2026 would be 225,000 dollars. The WNBPA wants the cap tied directly to revenue growth, rather than remaining fixed for the duration of the agreement. The union has not responded publicly to the latest proposal.
The situation leaves the league in a delicate position. Players demand a more dynamic model aligned with the commercial evolution of women’s basketball. The WNBA seeks to balance economic growth with structural stability. The coming weeks will be decisive to avoid a conflict that could disrupt the season.
