The WNBA and the Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) announced on October 22, 2024, that they have aligned on key elements of a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA).[1][2] The deal came after marathon negotiations, including sessions extending into early Wednesday morning.[2][3]

The agreement ensures the 2025 WNBA season remains on schedule, with the 44-game regular season set to tip off on May 16, 2025, and conclude on September 11.[1][4] The league currently has 12 teams, including the newly added Golden State Valkyries, who selected their inaugural roster in an expansion draft on December 10, 2024.[4][5]

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert stated: "I just want to say we have aligned on key elements of a new collective bargaining agreement together. We still need to finalize a formal term sheet, but the progress made in these discussions marks a transformative step forward for players and the league."[1][2] Lawyers from both sides will draft the term sheet in the coming days, followed by ratification by WNBPA members and approval by the league's Board of Governors.[1][3]

WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike, a forward for the Seattle Storm, said the deal ties player salaries to league revenue for the first time in a meaningful way, projecting average compensation above $500,000 while improving facilities and support.[2][3] The CBA negotiations followed the union's decision to opt out of the previous agreement in June 2024.[1]

Breanna Stewart, vice chair of the WNBPA executive committee and a forward for the New York Liberty, described the agreement as transformational, benefiting players on and off the court.[3] The league's growth has accelerated since the 2024 rookie class, led by Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 draft pick and unanimous Rookie of the Year.[1][5]

The new CBA is expected to take effect after the 2025 season, with the WNBA planning further expansion, including the Toronto Tempo joining as the 15th franchise in 2026.[4][5]

Sources

1. ESPN, "Sources -- WNBA, WNBPA reach agreement in principle on new CBA", October 22, 2024, https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/41724822/sources-wnba-wnbpa-reach-agreement-principle-new-cba
2. The Athletic, "WNBA, players’ association reach agreement in principle on new CBA", October 22, 2024, https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5900994/2024/10/22/wnba-cba-agreement-in-principle/
3. Associated Press, "WNBA and players’ union say they’ve reached agreement in principle on new labor deal", October 22, 2024, https://apnews.com/article/wnba-collective-bargaining-agreement-labor-deal-cba-engelbert-ogwumike-9d3b2e5f8a4c7e2f1b6d3a9e0c5f8b2d
4. WNBA.com, "2025 WNBA Regular Season Schedule to Tip Off Friday, May 16", December 3, 2024, https://www.wnba.com/news/2025-wnba-regular-season-schedule-tip-off-may-16
5. WNBA.com, "WNBA Announces Toronto as 2026 Expansion Franchise", October 28, 2024, https://www.wnba.com/news/wnba-toronto-expansion-franchise-2026