WNBA and Players Association Secure 40-Day Extension on CBA Talks

The WNBA and the WNBA Players Association (WNBPA) have reached an agreement for a 40-day extension on their current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) until January 9, 2024. This extension allows both parties to continue negotiations towards a new deal. The league announced the extension following a decision made just before the Sunday deadline of 11:59 p.m. ET.

The agreement includes a provision that permits either party to terminate the extension with 48 hours’ notice. Reports indicate that the union initially proposed a six-week extension after considering a shorter, 24-hour option, while the league was advocating for a 21-day extension. In a statement released on Sunday night, the WNBA confirmed, “The WNBA and WNBPA are continuing to work toward a new agreement.”

Discussions surrounding the CBA have been ongoing. Previously, the two sides extended the original deadline of October 31, 2023 by 30 days. As negotiations progress, significant disagreements remain, particularly regarding salary structures and revenue-sharing systems.

According to a November 18 report from The Associated Press, later confirmed by ESPN, the WNBA proposed a deal that included considerable salary increases. Under this proposal, maximum salaries would exceed $1.1 million, while minimum salaries would rise above $220,000. For context, the league’s minimum salary was $66,079 in 2025, with a supermax salary of $249,244. However, WNBPA representatives expressed dissatisfaction with the proposal, arguing that it lacked a system to ensure player salaries would grow alongside business revenues.

The players are advocating for a salary cap that correlates with basketball-related income (BRI), similar to structures used in the NBA. They are seeking to move away from a fixed salary cap of $1,507,100 in 2025, which increases at a steady rate of 3% each year under the current CBA. The existing agreement also includes a revenue-sharing provision that has yet to yield payments to players, as the league has not met the specified revenue targets, largely due to the ongoing repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to salary discussions, the players are prioritizing several key issues. These include establishing minimum professional standards for facilities, formalizing league charter travel programs, and enhancing retirement and family planning benefits. The WNBA has expressed a commitment to substantially increasing player salaries and associated financial commitments while encouraging team owners to invest further in the league’s operations.

As the WNBA continues to experience rapid growth, there is optimism that these negotiations could lead to a more sustainable model for profitability, benefiting both players and the league in the long term. The outcome of these discussions will be closely monitored by fans and stakeholders alike, as the future of women’s professional basketball hangs in the balance.