WNBA agrees historic collective bargaining deal with huge salary rises

The WNBA and its players union have agreed a historic seven-year collective bargaining agreement featuring unprecedented salary increases and a new revenue-sharing model.

Following months of protracted negotiations and a marathon week-long bargaining session, the two sides have secured labour peace until at least the 2031 season.

The new framework promises to fundamentally reshape the financial landscape of North America’s premier women’s basketball competition.

Revenue sharing and historic salaries

Under the terms of the new deal, team salary caps will skyrocket from $1.5m in 2025 to $7m for the 2026 campaign.

Individual compensation will also see extraordinary growth, with minimum wages set at $270,000 and maximum player salaries reaching a ceiling of $1.4m.

The agreement includes a landmark provision guaranteeing the athletes a 20% share of gross league revenue.

While this figure falls short of the union’s initial demands, it firmly ties future compensation directly to the overarching commercial growth of the sport.

Honouring past pioneers

The benefits of the transformational pact extend beyond the current crop of active stars.

Retired competitors who amassed at least five years of service while building the league will receive targeted cash recognition payments.

These legacy rewards arrive as the competition prepares to embark upon its landmark 30th season.

The WNBA and the players association accomplished their mutually stated goal of a transformational collective bargaining agreement that permanently and positively changes the landscape of the league.

Franchise owners will now enjoy increased roster-building flexibility and the security of a long-term economic model to protect their investments.

Both parties have the option to opt out of the sweeping arrangement following the conclusion of the 2031 campaign.