The WNBA and WNBPA have been on the CBA discussion table for 16 months now. The PA opted out of the previous CBA terms in October 2024. After that, the league had a whole season, a new champion, and a new rookie superstar in the history books, yet the organizations are poles apart on Collective Bargaining Agreement terms, halting the upcoming processes.
So far, the only positive news in recent days was that players received $8 million after the league triggered revenue sharing for the first time. But with that, the league took a serious step, looking to wrap up the CBA discussions as early as possible.
WNBA Sets Deadline For CBA Discussions
According to ESPN reports, the WNBA informed the WNBPA and teams that the final date for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiation will be March 10. The idea is to give intermediate processes time to get started on time.
Alexa Philippou shared the news on social media and wrote, “Breaking: The WNBA told the WNBPA and its teams today that a term sheet for a new CBA ought to be completed by March 10 for the 2026 schedule not to be impacted. That’s two weeks from tomorrow.”
Breaking: The WNBA told the WNBPA and its teams today that a term sheet for a new CBA ought to be completed by March 10 for the 2026 schedule not to be impacted.
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) February 23, 2026
That's two weeks from tomorrow.
This is the first time that the league has taken a strong step and forced a deadline. So far, both the WNBA and the WNBPA have mutually agreed on the deadline dates. While the CBA talks have already impacted the majority of the offseason, the league is looking to start its 30th season on time.
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Earlier, Napheesa Collier revealed she would consider sitting out games if WNBA CBA negotiations fail to progress. While neither party wants to see the end of the league or even a season, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne sees one player who could complete the deal in one go.
Analyst Puts Faith in Nneka Ogwumike for WNBA-WNBPA CBA Deal
Up till now, the PA was in charge of discussions and putting pressure on the league for its demands, but now with the new deadline set, the league is forcing the association to make quick decisions.
According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, the WNBPA president can wrap things up quickly. In a talk show, she said, “To me, it’s Nneka Ogwumike. She’s been the head of the players association for a very long time, and she’s very well respected in the game and by the league office. She’s been doing a lot of podcasts, she’s been saying what she wants.”
She described that the Storm forward could attend a meeting with the WNBA commissioner and even the NBA Commissioner to properly communicate the needs and secure the deal.