$2billion talks threaten WNBA season as deadline emerges for league that must ‘set the bar’

Mar 10, 2026 - 19:45

The 2026 WNBA season is now at serious risk of being delayed.

This comes as a result of the WNBA and Players’ Association still in a $2 billion standoff, having been unable to come to a resolution over the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressing media after Naphessa Collier comments — The WNBA and WNBPA are still in a standoff over a new CBA

On Tuesday, respected WNBA reporter Annie Costabile revealed that a fresh new meeting was taking place, which just so happens to be the target date that the league had imposed back in February.

“A meeting between the WNBA and the WNBPA (including players) is scheduled for later today, multiple sources told me,” Costabile wrote on Tuesday morning.

“On Feb. 23 the league imposed a March 10th target date that, if passed, would subject the season to delays.

“Both sides have exchanged proposals in recent days, the details of which have not become public.”

According to Costabile for Front Office Sports, though, “The WNBPA has not felt beholden to reach an agreement by March 10, according to multiple sources, and has maintained its stance that it will continue pushing for a transformational deal—particularly in the financial model.”

Costabile further reported that the two parties had exchanged proposals in private over the weekend, which is a significant shift from that of previous negotiations.

However, the players are still reportedly not convinced a deal will get done before Tuesday’s March 10 deadline.

As it stands, the WNBA’s latest proposal is said to have offered a $5.75 million salary cap, but the players’ demands of receiving a 70 percent share of the revenue had still not been met.

According to Costabile, the current negotiations sees this amount to less than 15 percent of gross revenue, with the WNBPA initially proposing they received 40 percent of gross revenue.

That has, however, reduced to 26 percent as negotiations have continued to go on.

Napheesa Collier Caitlin Clark smile in a press conference — WNBA stars have been vocal in their pursuit for a fair CBA

The WNBA has stood pat throughout on their demands, with them campaigning for for a pay structure that “financially recognizes players’ contributions to the league.“

Another priority that the WNBPA is refusing to negotiate on is league-funded housing, with the WNBA having provided housing to its players since 1999.

WNBA legend and NBA on Prime analyst Candace Parker praised the WNBPA for so far having refused to waver on their stance.

“I think it’s super important for the WNBA to kind of set the bar. A lot of things the WNBA has been first,” Parker exclusively told talkSPORT back in February.

“It’s the longest standing sports league in the US and it’s that way for a reason because we’ve always stood on principles, we’ve always stood on business.

“I think that’s what’s going to kind of lead the way for women globally.”

Candace Parker attends the unveiling of Prime Video's new NBA On Prime Studio at The Culver Studios on October 14, 2025 in Culver City, California. — Parker praised how the WNBA has handled CBA negotiations

Clark spoke to reporters on Saturday ahead of her senior debut for Team USA — Clark spoke to reporters on Saturday about the ongoing CBA negotiations

Furthermore, Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark weighed in during her media availability on Saturday at USA Basketball training camp in Miami.

“There is a time crunch, and things do need to be solved,” Clark said.

“It is our responsibility to get something done for not only all of us—the players that are older in this league, the players that are younger in this league— but the next generation of hoopers.

“We don’t want to lose what we have right now. That’s my main focus and I look forward to playing on April 25 in New York City, my first preseason game.”

Unrivaled success cranks up WNBA pressure

While the new WNBA CBA is still being ironed out, Unrivaled have released their figures from their second season.

The 3×3 women’s basketball league, which was co-founded by WNBA superstars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, revealed on Tuesday that they had delivered a historic campaign.

Paige Bueckers #5 of the Breeze dribbles the ball against the Rose during the third quarter of the Unrivaled 2026 game at Sephora Arena on February 1, 2026 — Unrivaled brought in record figures in its second season

Not only did they see exponential increases in merchandise sales (130 percent increase) – with Dallas Wings star and Unrivaled investor Paige Bueckers leading the way in jersey sales – and ticket sales (204 percent increase), but it also generated over $45 million in revenue.

Furthermore, as it pertains to player compensation, the league’s salary cap grew 115 percent, with an overall cap of $21 million.

This, in turn, saw the player equity pool grow a whopping 290 percent from $30 million in 2025 to over $120 million in 2026.

These significant milestones surely just add to the pressure that the WNBA is facing to get a new CBA agreed to in time for the season to start.

But time is very much running out for unpopular figure WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and the WNBPA to come to a mutual agreement, with a delay to the 2026 regular season looking to be edging ever closer.

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