Most WNBA teams are ready with their schedules, game venues, training schedules, and draft boards for the 2026 WNBA Season. NBC, the official broadcaster of the WNBA season, also released a teaser for the season. But everything is still on hold as of now, and the main reason for the same is the CBA delay.
WNBA players questioned the league’s decision to release the upcoming season’s schedule without confirming CBA terms, and fans trolled NBC for its broadcast schedule. While everyone is feeling the heat of this delay, two teams looking to make their WNBA debuts are in deeper trouble.
CBA Delay Impacting Expansion Teams
The Golden State Valkyries made a name for themselves with playoff qualification in their very first WNBA season and set a record for attendance. One key aspect of their success was their preparation, where the team had the chance to work on their plan, players, and progress with the expansion draft completion in December 2024.
Now, two franchises are waiting for a similar head start but have no player on the roster to work with. There is a looming sense of anxiety about what comes next. Being able to fit everything in before the WNBA’s 2026 season tip-off won’t be easy, even if a deal is reached soon. The Toronto Tempo HC Sandy Brondello slammed the league for the delay on similar grounds.
Nneka Ogwimike expressed disappointment over the WNBA's lack of preparation for Monday's in-person CBA meeting. The WNBPA had hoped the league would have a proposal ready to discuss.
— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) February 3, 2026
(via @FOS, @AnnieCostabile) pic.twitter.com/NSM1j3Hj8b
The WNBPA and WNBA agreed to work under the status quo to keep the discussions alive, but they kept free-agent signings on hold, leaving nearly 140 players without a team as of now. The expansion teams already have their eyes set on a few top free agents to make an immediate impact in their inaugural season, but they have to wait for the green light.
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With the league and players’ association agreeing to the extension twice, there is no fixed timeline yet for the processes to begin. But the league needs to act fast to avoid delaying the 2026 season.
Permissible CBA Confirmation Date
The opening date of the 2026 WNBA season is May 8, and the WNBA draft is April 13. Though the teams have nearly three months until the start of the season, given the amount of work pending, the CBA should be in place by the second week of February, with a five-day grace period to fine-tune the terms.
WNBPA is also aware of the situation as its President, Nneka Ogwumike, said, “We made the point that once we nail this, we can get everything else done.”
With the clock ticking and teams feeling the heat, the League and players should look to take quick action on the discussions.