The Expansion draft saw 22 players switching their allegiance for the 2026 season. The Portland Fire opened up the expansion draft pick and closed the expansion draft with the selection of Nika Muhl. Although these players still can’t join the expansion team, their contracts have not been finalized yet. The reason for the same is the delay in WNBA CBA agreement rectification.
A WNBA analyst highlighted the same issue in her recent appearance on an ESPN show, which could be a concerning sign for the league that celebrated the CBA confirmation rather loudly.
WNBBA Analyst Hits Out At Delay In CBA Rectification
The WNBA players’ association was happy with the deal and confirmations the league gave them, which increased their salaries by 400%. While a Nobel Prize-winning economist helped the WNPA to get the lucrative deal, nothing is in writing. An ESPN analyst pinpointed this delay and mentioned that the free agency signings are still on hold.
On the ESPN show, the analyst said, “We don’t know when free agency is going to begin…and that is because the CBA I’m told has yet to be actually ratified. The board of governors, the league, the players, they’ve all voted yes…pen has not met paper. It’s still a little bit of a standstill.”
"We don't know when free agency is going to begin…and that is because the CBA I'm told has yet to be actually ratified. The board of governors, the league, the players they've all voted yes…pen has not met paper. It's still a little bit of a standstill" – @kendra__andrews pic.twitter.com/1jrxkFQZF7
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) April 3, 2026
After the CBA confirmations, everyone was looking for the player movements and the draft process to see the final rosters of every franchise before the season started. The league previously shared an anticipated timeline for free agency. According to the same, the qualifying offers are going out April 7–8, followed by a negotiating period April 9–11. The signing period would be April 12–18 under this plan.
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Nearly a 10-day plan seems cool as of now, with no CBA confirmation in writing. Sadly, the free agency itself might be very much silent.
WNBA Might Experience Coldest Free Agency
123 players are available in the free agency, and 15 teams are ready to pounce on the available talent. Fans are excited to see new power teams and dream WNBA pairings in free agency.
But till now, the top three players confirmed their plans for the FA as A’ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart opened up on the free agency decisions. Moreover, many other franchise players are expected to stay with their original teams instead of moving to new destinations. Yet the movement of role players would be a game-changer for contender teams. And fans want to see the team ready to compete well before the training camps.