WNBA Players' Association Approves New Collective Bargaining Agreement The Women’s National Basketball Player’s Association (WNBPA) ratified the terms of a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on Monday, describing it as a “transformational” and “bigger than basketball” milestone. The agreement, which takes effect this season and spans through 2032, marks a significant shift in the league’s financial structure and player compensation. WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike emphasized the deal’s impact on players’ financial futures, calling it a victory for securing fair pay. “Being able to have your worth tied mostly in your salary is all that we’ve been fighting for, and it’s what we were able to achieve,” Ogwumike told CNBC Sport. The new CBA raises the average player salary to $583,000 in 2026, with projections indicating it could surpass $1 million by 2032. The maximum salary for players will increase to $1.4 million in 2026, potentially reaching over $2.4 million by 2032, based on current WNBA financial forecasts. Ogwumike highlighted how these salary increases could reshape players’ offseason plans. Previously, many WNBA players sought additional income by competing abroad or in other leagues, such as the 3-on-3 Unrivaled league, where salaries were often higher. With the new structure linking player pay to league revenue, Ogwumike noted that players will now prioritize their options differently. “Prioritizing where you want to play is going to look a lot different now that we’ve been able to negotiate a structure, a salary structure, that is tied to the revenue of the business,” she said. The agreement also addresses tensions between players and WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.#nneka_ogwumike #collective_bargaining_agreement #wnba_players_association #wnba_commissioner #cathy_engelbert
