The WNBA and the WNBPA are at loggerheads regarding the new collective bargaining agreement. While several deadlines have passed, March 10 was considered the final one for the two sides to reach a conclusion. However, there is still no progress on the issue, and tensions have flared up, with the players’ executive committee already warned of a strike.
A term sheet was to be finalized by Tuesday, as further delay in the process will eventually postpone the 2026 WNBA regular season. As things stand, the league has submitted its counteroffer to the association, allowing the first and second-team All-WNBA players on rookie contracts, like Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, to be eligible to sign a max contract in their fourth year.
The WNBA has also added that such rookies won’t be eligible for the core designation by teams. The league also increased the Year 1 salary cap to $5.75 million, up from $1.5 million in 2025, an increase of over 280%.
However, the two parties have not taken a call yet, and WNBPA vice president Breanna Stewart and executive committee member Kelsey Plum have already warned the league to go on strike if players’ terms are not negotiated appropriately.
Will the WNBA players go on strike?
In a letter sent by Breanna Stewart and Kelsey Plum, concerns were raised about the WNBPA’s handling of CBA negotiations and the lack of players’ involvement in the process. However, the association stated, in a statement, that the league and teams were trying to divide the players, but the WNBPA was adamant about negotiating a favorable deal for the athletes.
In December 2025, the WNBA players authorized the association to ‘go on a strike’ whenever necessary. In a survey conducted by the WNBPA on holding a strike in CBA negotiations, 98% of the players who voted (93% of the total) agreed to the idea.
However, Stewart and Plum, in their personal letter, clarified to the parties that they didn’t want to do that because it would not be beneficial to both sides. No players means no revenue and no tussle over revenue sharing. It’s unlikely that players will go on a strike; instead, they will try to negotiate a middle path until further discussions.
As per the latest report from WNBA reporter Annie Costabile, the two sides have scheduled to meet later in the day to work out a path before the March 10 deadline ends. The reporter wrote on X:
“A meeting between the WNBA and the WNBPA (including players) is scheduled for later today, multiple sources told me.”
Even though the 2003 WNBA season also got postponed due to CBA negotiations, a long-standing lockout has never happened. Time will tell if the payers get what they demand.
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