The WNBA took nearly 15 days, within an extended period, to come up with a proposal that could lure the WNBPA into agreeing on a new CBA. The offer included several significant figures, such as a maximum salary of $1.1 million, and the latest league minimum would be more than $220,000, with an average salary of over $460,000. It also mentioned the revenue share, which was a topic of discussion throughout the season.
Many expected to receive a green signal from the WNBAPA, but according to reports, the WNBPA is most likely to reject the proposed record-breaking $1.1 million maximum salary. An ESPN insider provides a reason for the deal breaker.
ESPN Insider Explains WNBA Players’ Frustration
Alexa Philippou, who had been following the league for years and reporting on the CBA details from the start of the 2025 season, made a November 20 appearance on NBA Today. She discussed the players’ reaction to this new CBA proposal.
“The issue that the players and the WNBPA seem to have with this proposal is that it does now meaningfully actually apply their request to have a revenue share system in the next Collective Bargaining Agreement,” Philippou said. “What they want — and the players have been really consistent in this message — is that they feel that the salary system needs to grow with the business. And so far, this proposal does not include that to the extent they have been asking for.”
Philippou: WNBPA doesn't see proposed $1.1M max salary as moving negotiations forward.
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) November 20, 2025
When asked about the issue with the proposed revenue-sharing model, the ESPN reporter mentioned that the players’ association still has some ambiguity around several key points that they feel need clarification before moving forward.
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While the reporter spoke about the current situation, some players were already showing frustration over the delay in receiving the CBA confirmation. Sophie Cunningham even issued a grim outlook for the 2026 WNBA season amid the CBA standoff, while Seattle Storm’s Skylar Diggins-Smith handed advice to the league authorities.
Skylar Diggins-Smith Advises WNBA To Follow Unrivaled’s Method
The Project B’s salary values, the Unrivaled’s model, are lucrative models that are attracting many WNBA players, and the Seattle Storm player gave a simple solution to the WNBA’s inability to solve the CBA puzzle.
“It was very inspiring to be a part of the first year and now for it to come back for Year 2, even stronger and bigger, you feel really special. Now is the time where our sport is booming. We’re trying to make the WNBA get on board to the example that Unrivaled is setting,” Diggins said.
SKYLAR DIGGINS-SMITH IS UNRIVALED👑 17/30✅ WHO’S NEXT⬇️ @SkyDigg4 pic.twitter.com/PdPjy3zlfc
— Unrivaled Basketball (@Unrivaledwbb) August 29, 2024
She applauded the Unrivalled’s attempt to keep the players involved in the league and added, “As investors, you become more invested in the product and growing the game.”
It is essential to note that the WNBPA agreed to a 30-day extension, subject to a condition that includes the possibility of a 48-hour opt-out option. Now, if they refuse the current proposal and exercise their opt-out option, the league will have to send the next proposal within two days to close the CBA negotiations.