The WNBA and WNBPA have yet to clear major blockages in their CBA discussions, although many smaller demands have already been agreed upon. Now, with the deadline date of October 31 fast approaching, many fans and analysts fear a possible lockdown. But Adam Silver expressed confidence in resolving the WNBA labor dispute well in time.
Even though he mentioned that there are a few relationship issues in the league, both parties, WNBA and NBPA, want to have the 2026 season and can reach a middle ground. In recent comments, he spoke about the players’ pay, which was one of the hot topics in the CBA Discussions.
Adam Silver Supports Significant WNBA Pay Raise
From the start of the 2025 season, there was significant ambiguity about the players’ demands for their salaries and pay. Former vice president Kelsey Plum cleared the air, mentioning that WNBA players are not asking for NBA Salaries, but rather the same percentage of revenue or a similar rate of revenue. Adam Silver also spoke on the topic recently.
“Yes, I think share isn’t the right way to look at it, because there’s so much more revenue in the NBA. I think you should look at it in absolute numbers in terms of what they are making. And they are going to get a big increase in this cycle of collective bargaining. And they deserve it,” Silver said.
Adam Silver on the WNBA labor talks:
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) October 21, 2025
"I think share isn't the right way to look at it because there's so much more revenue in the NBA…they are gonna get a big increase in this cycle of collective bargaining and they deserve it" pic.twitter.com/3SREuS0JG1
The 63-year-old executive was on the ‘Today show’ where he addressed the point. Incidentally, he only spoke on ‘absolute numbers’ and not on the revenue share, which was another point of discussion. His answer showed support for both the league and the players, with no clear stance on the point.
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Amid all this, the NBA commissioner also dropped a hint of global expansion of the league with the Silver mentioning a WNBA game to take place in China “very soon”. While he expressed a desire to see a significant pay increase, Satou Sabally mentioned the lower limit of the rookie contract, which highlights their demands.
WNBA Star Satou Sabally Puts Ahead The ‘Numbers’ Expected By Players
The salary discussion had been a stumbling block in the conclusion of the CBA. While the league is prepared to offer higher pay than the amount in the last agreement, the players are seeking even more. During the WNBA Finals series, Mercury star Satou Sabally set exact expectations for the rookie scale.
“I know the league came, but with like 300 [thousand]. Push it up. Push it up. Go up, especially if you want to extend the season [schedule]. And now we’re talking about extending the season, you need to go up with these numbers because, honestly, that’s what they deserve right now,” Sabally said in the interview during training sessions.
#Mercury Satou Sabally on NBA commissioner Adam Silver saying dialogue in #wnba contract negotiations is becoming “too personal” pic.twitter.com/s1ztAb1gBe
— jeffmetcalfe (@jeffmetcalfe) October 7, 2025
An increase in the rookie scale would automatically impact the veterans’ pay on a similar or even bigger scale. The current rookie salary is $66,079, and surpassing $300,000 indicates a five-fold increase. Ironically, the supermax contract value for the 2025 season is around $254,000, and if the new CBA deal includes a $300,000 amount, the rookies will enter the league surpassing the highest-paid players of the 2025 season.