The WNBA is standing at a crucial crossroads currently. With no signs of a solution to the CBA stalemate, the players have been fuming. Owing to the unfulfilled demand of the players, Sophie Cunningham recently termed the league a ‘laughing stock.’
Previously, the likes of Napheesa Collier publicly called out commissioner Cathy Engelbert. Accusing her of an alleged lack of accountability towards the players, Collier brought the CBA issues into the forefront. Now, as the 2026 season is approaching fast, there are some key challenges that need to be sorted out first.
Can The WNBA Sort Out The Key Challenges Before Start Of The Season?
Amidst all the tensions brewing, the WNBA released the 2026 schedule. Set to begin on May 8, 2026, there are fewer than 100 days remaining at the moment. Now, with the players utterly frustrated, the primary demand coming from the players is better revenue sharing.
Currently, the players receive a meagre share of the revenue. Despite the emergence of names like Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, booming WNBA revenue, the league has declined to increase the players’ share. Thus, the likes of Nneka Ogwumike have stressed the fact that at least 30% of the gross share must be provided in the first year.
WNBA's latest CBA proposal didn't include significant update on league's proposed revenue sharing system; included "some concessions on housing and facility standards," per @alexaphilippou.
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) February 8, 2026
League proposing players receive 15% of gross revenue; players pushing for 30%.
According to the players, this will ease the travel and housing expenses, which are increasing with each passing day due to inflation. Previously, the WNBA came forward with a couple of proposals. Unfortunately, on both occasions, WNBPA rejected the offers.
Scroll to continue reading
Trending WNBA News
Recently, the league had a three-hour-long in-person meeting with the players’ union. And while this meeting was expected to bear rich fruits, nothing came out of it. Thankfully, in a recent development, the WNBA has finally come forward with a brand new offer.
What Changes Did WNBA Make In Their New Offer?
After a long wait, the WNBA has finally dropped a new contract offer. Looking at the offer, it is evident that the league has made some significant changes to the contract than its previous ones.
There is a change in the salary structure, taking the supermax base salary to $1.1 million in 2026. What’s interesting is that the same will be going up to $1.8 million by 2030. Likewise, the median salary too, now stands at $465,000, which is 4x what the players were offered back in 2025.
The WNBA submitted its latest CBA proposal to the players, a source told ESPN.
— espnW (@espnW) February 7, 2026
This ended a more than six-week wait from the players association for a counter to its last offer.
🔗: https://t.co/xb2fjGfZQr pic.twitter.com/Q1GsiODnRB
Thus, as clarity finally emerges, everyone waits to see how things pan out.