After months of negotiations, the WNBA and the WNBPA reached a tentative agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) on Friday. The proposed deal introduces sweeping changes and is being viewed as one of the most transformative labor agreements in major professional sports.
With major changes set to take place across the league, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert reflected on the landmark moment.
“This Collective Bargaining Agreement represents a defining moment in the WNBA’s 30-year history,” Cathy Engelbert said. “The agreement is a testament to that belief and to the tremendous progress we have achieved together.”
The new CBA will run for seven years and significantly reshape the landscape of women’s basketball. With that said, here are the top five game-changing agreements in the new deal.
Top 5 game-changing agreements of new WNBA CBA
#1. New revenue sharing model
Revenue sharing was one of the central talking points between the league and the WNBPA during negotiations. While the league initially aimed to retain the existing model, players pushed for a structure that would grant them a percentage of both team and league revenues.
According to reports, the new agreement will allow players to directly benefit from the league’s commercial growth. The model links player earnings to team and league revenue, ensuring that as the WNBA continues to expand, athletes see proportional financial gains.
#2. Higher salary cap and contract growth
The new CBA significantly raises the financial ceiling for players, with the salary cap set to increase annually based on league revenues. Maximum contracts are expected to rise to as much as $1.4 million by 2032, while average salaries are projected to surpass $350,000.
It also allows teams greater flexibility in roster construction, enabling franchises to retain star players and build competitive teams.
#3. Higher minimum salary
One of the most impactful changes comes at the lower end of the pay scale. Minimum salaries are set to increase significantly, with base pay expected to rise from approximately $64,000 to $85,000, alongside notable growth in rookie contracts.
Additionally, rookie-scale contracts will see structured increases, with top draft picks expected to earn substantially more than before.
#4. Player welfare and benefits
The new agreement places a strong emphasis on player welfare. The league is set to provide improved benefits, including expanded maternity pay, better retirement plans, and increased support for players with families.
There are also significant enhancements in travel conditions. According to reports, the league will invest over $300 million in this area, with a continued commitment to charter flights to reduce physical strain during the season.
Additionally, all players will receive guaranteed housing for the next three years, with those earning under $500,000 continuing to receive housing benefits through 2032.
#5. Expanded roster flexibility
With the new CBA, teams will benefit from increased roster flexibility, with roster sizes set to expand to 12 players. This allows franchises to make adjustments to player designations and contract structures, enabling more strategic squad building.
The number of regular-season games is also set to increase, reflecting growing demand and fan interest. Additionally, new pathways for player development have been introduced, including two designated spots for developmental players, creating more opportunities for emerging talent to break into the league.
Edited by Arian Kashyap