As the WNBA continues to witness a surge in popularity, thanks in large part to stars like Caitlin Clark and a massive new media deal, the league is pushing for changes that could reshape how players live and earn.
However, negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement, or CBA, are intensifying. Now, with the current CBA getting a six-week extension, the latest offer from the league has players weighing big gains against some tough losses.
WNBA’s Latest CBA Proposal Is A Barter For Players
The current proposal promises million-dollar base salaries for top players, a huge jump from today’s figures, but it comes with cuts to perks like housing that many rely on.
At the heart of the offer is a seven-figure max salary, meaning base pay could hit $1 million for star players, far above the current cap of around $214,000.
However, this boost is tied to the WNBA’s new $2.2 billion media rights deal, which spans 11 years and generates approximately $200 million in annual revenue.
The WNBA has proposed a seven-figure base max salary as part of a new CBA but removed team housing, per @AnnieCostabile.
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) December 2, 2025
The league has also proposed to make the season longer, with an earlier start date that would interfere with the NCAA tournament and potentially other leagues… pic.twitter.com/f907Wtra74
Scroll to continue reading
Trending WNBA News
It’s a step toward addressing players’ calls for a bigger slice of the pie, since base salaries now account for just 9.3% of revenue, which is actually below the NBA’s 50% share.
But that’s not all. The league wants to scrap team-provided housing, a benefit that helps players settle in new cities or manage off-season moves abroad. Without it, everyday costs could climb, offsetting some of those salary gains for lower-paid athletes.
The proposal also calls for a longer season with an earlier start, potentially clashing with the NCAA women’s tournament in April and other international leagues.
This could complicate schedules for college stars transitioning to the pros or players juggling multiple gigs.
WNBA’s CBA Proposal Has More Trade-offs Than We Know
These scheduling shifts point to even broader impacts, such as starting training camps in mid-March, right in the midst of March Madness, which could upend the draft and rookie transitions.
But that’s not all that’s in there for the players. Under the plan, the salary cap would increase from $1.5 million to $5 million, with growth tied to revenue, allowing multiple $1 million maximum deals per team.
Now, average salaries could top $500,000, and the minimum would rise above $225,000, big leaps from today’s $78,831 veteran floor.
But the mid-March camps might force an earlier draft or leave it post-season start, creating hurdles for college players with varying tournament end dates.
However, for top earners like Breanna Stewart, whose pay could soar past $1 million, it’s a small hit that makes up about 0.02% of her new salary. However, for minimum-salary players or those on short contracts, it could consume 8% or more, forcing them to cover hotels or rentals themselves.
A prioritization clause aims to curb play in other leagues, such as Unrivaled or Athletes Unlimited, potentially limiting extra income for non-stars.