The CBA discussions might not be in place as of now, but franchises and broadcasters are already preparing for the 2026 season’s grand welcome. As of now, NBC has declared its WNBA schedule for the 2026 season. While fans were confused by the NBC’s move, ESPN also stepped up its game and came up with a special segment on Women’s sports.
Ironically, the media house giants are moving the MLB segment to allocate a time slot to the program. Yet this could be a positive sign for the WNBA, which is looking for some good news after stalled CBA discussions.
ESPN’s Move To Benefit WNBA
When there is not much action on the court in the WNBA, the league is having off-court drama, keeping fans engaged. ESPN, which backed the WNBA’s rise by providing the league games with more slots, is now looking to cash in on every movement on the landscape. The media house used its expiring contract with the MLB and allocated the slot to a new segment dedicated to Women’s sports.
ESPN’s official statement reads, “Women’s sports are experiencing continued momentum, and Women’s Sports Sundays is ESPN’s next step in meeting that demand. This franchise is about more than showcasing games, it’s about building a consistent, high-profile destination that reflects the passion, excellence and cultural impact of women’s sports today, while giving athletes and leagues the stage they deserve.”
ESPN to launch 'Women’s Sports Sundays'
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) February 19, 2026
Debuting this summer, it's a first of its kind weekly primetime franchise showcasing the best of women’s sports in premium windows
More: https://t.co/hIH7v4QSzg pic.twitter.com/VnfboFdOGT
The league will also benefit from the extra attention in the off-season, giving them a chance to win over fans with their side of the story, too, as fans are already blaming the authorities for the delay following analysts’ claims on the possible cancellation of the season altogether.
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While the offseason numbers can match the views of the MLB season (1.5 million), ESPN can also expect them to go up during the regular season. As for the CBA deal, the process just got lengthened despite a positive approach from the WNBA and the WNBPA
WNBA Is Looking At Losses In New Proposal By WNBPA
The current CBA situation sees a step back from both parties as the league offered higher remuneration in its new proposal, while the WNBPA also lowered its demands. Though both took small steps toward completion of the deal.
As for the league, though, the earlier $700 million losses are now down to $460 million, which is a dealbreaker. A WNBA spokesperson called the union’s latest offer “unrealistic” and pointed to the delay in the season’s start.
In a statement to ESPN, a WNBA spox calls the WNBPA's proposal "unrealistic & would cause hundreds of millions of dollars of losses for our teams. We… are running out of time. We believe the WNBA’s proposal would result in a huge win for current players & generations to come.” pic.twitter.com/hO6lPDiIdy
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) February 18, 2026
Given the time remaining before the season starts and the pace of progress, there is a chance of a delay in the start of the 2026 season. ESPN, though, can have multiple news, debates, and views on the topic till then on its Sunday edition.