The Unrivalled league is keeping fans engaged while the top players are also busy in leagues across the globe. Still, all eyes are on the WNBA, which is working towards the new CBA proposal. Forward Sophie Cunningham warned that the WNBA CBA stalemate is heading toward a lockout with zero progress on the settlement. Now there are high chances of the Fever player’s prediction becoming a reality.
The league and players’ association already expressed a desire to keep working in good faith and get the season underway. But nearly three weeks after the last extension expired, no concrete steps have been taken on either side.
WNBA Players Could Call For Strike
The union already gave backing to the association authorities to call a strike if they saw fit. Many hoped that the work stoppage scenarios would never arise. Sources sided with the notion and added that players such as Breanna Stewart have been hoping for a resolution by early February.
Though the date or firm strike decision has not been set, the final step, barring progress in negotiations, would be an executive committee decision to strike, once it factors in recommendations from WNBPA staff and counsel, according to close sources.
The WNBPA announced Thursday that its members have voted overwhelmingly to authorize calling a strike "when necessary" during the ongoing negotiations between the players association and the WNBA on a new collective bargaining agreement.
— ESPN (@espn) December 18, 2025
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The turning point in the discussions came when the league rejected the 30% revenue-sharing model the WNBPA sought in the proposal. Though the league agreed to the removal of the hard salary cap, they are not looking to exceed the $10M-plus value in the WNBPA’s proposal.
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Incidentally, the league replied with the losses of around $700M over the six years of the CBA term. The WNBPA fired back at the league, calling the $700 million loss projection “absolutely false,” and since then, there has been no progress to show.
Commercial Terms In WNBA’s Latest Offer
The WNBA’s latest proposal included a salary raise and a revenue-sharing point. As for the pay, the maximum salary would be more than $1.3M in 2026, up from $249,244. Also, the average salary mentioned is $530,000, nearly five times the current average. Moreover, the average salary could range from $780,000 over the life of the deal.
As for the revenue-sharing model, the WNBA offer included a 70% share of net revenue. The WNBPA is looking at the share in gross revenue and claims that 70% of net revenue equals 15% or less of gross revenue.
While the deal is still ongoing, analyst Rachel DeMita listed all the reasons the WNBA will delay the 2026 season. If the WNBPA chooses a work stoppage, it would be even harder for the league to get the season back on track.