Endless $2bn WNBA talks enter frantic weekend as Cathy Engelbert reveals ‘transformational’ CBA deadline that can’t be missed

Mar 14, 2026 - 15:45

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert wants a new CBA and she wants it now, amid the 2026 campaign being at genuine 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, four days on from the March 10 deadline and a resolution over the terms of the CBA has still not been agreed upon.

This comes despite marathon talks having taken place, with WNBA insider Alexa Philippou reporting on X: “Both sides met for over 15 hours but are wrapping up now. About 15 proposals have been exchanged over the past four days.”

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.

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 to date

Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever stands on the sideline in a shirt that reads 'Pay us what you owe us' — Caitlin Clark and the rest of the WNBA are campaigning for a CBA which aligns with the growth of the league

“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.”

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.

WNBA stars have been vocal in their pursuit for a fair CBA[/caption]

“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.”

Engelbert reveals urgent deadline date

But on Friday night, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert issued a stark warning that a deal needs to be made by Monday if they are to avoid disruptions to the 2026 season.

“I’ve never been a betting woman in my life and I’m not going to start now. But we have to get a deal done by Monday,” Engelbert said.

“We have to get it done without disrupting some part of the fact that we’ve got to run this two team expansion (draft).

“We have to get expansion going. We got to get free agency going. We gotta get the college draft.”

Engelbert was subjected to huge criticism from big names around the league, including WNBPA first vice president Kelsey Plum and vice presidents Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.

Collier joined Stewart and union president Nneka Oguwmike for in-person negotiations on Friday, with the union revealing that strides to reach an agreement have been taken.

WNBPA executive committee members Collier and Ogwumike are in the building hoping to strike a deal with the league

WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson told reporters on Friday that progress has been made for a new CBA

“We have been there committed round the clock and speaking very passionately and factually,” players’ union executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson said on Friday.

“As long as movement keeps us going in a forward direction, then I think we’re good.”

“It’s day four and there’s been movement, I think the league and particularly the commissioner and her team have heard that transformational remains the goal.

“Salaries would be tied to revenue in a meaningful way is the players’ top priority or one of their top priorities.”

Fellow executive committee members Brianna Turner and Alysha Clark had been present at meetings earlier on in the week, but have since departed.

“It is meaningful to sit across the table and listen to their concerns, them to listen to our concerns or listen to why we think something that we’re bargaining over is where we want to be,” Engelbert said.

“Some cases, they agree. Some cases, they don’t. We listen to the players when they talk about things, and they listen to us. So, you know, progress.”

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.

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

The success of Unrivaled may have inadvertently mounted the pressure on Engelbert and the WNBA

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

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.

With the league needing a few weeks to finish off the CBA once a deal is reached in principle, it remains to be seen whether there will be any delays to the season.

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