WNBA Players Ratify Landmark Collective Bargaining Agreement, Securing Historic Pay Increases
After months of negotiations, WNBA players have overwhelmingly ratified a new seven-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA), securing significant pay raises and a larger share of league revenue. The agreement, approved with over 90% participation, marks a pivotal moment for the league and its athletes, addressing long-standing concerns about compensation and financial stability.
A History of Contentious Negotiations
The path to this agreement wasn’t without its challenges. Over the past 17 months, concerns grew that the league was facing significant trouble as negotiations over the CBA—which dictates player compensation—became increasingly contentious. During the 2024 WNBA All-Star game, players wore “Pay Us What You Owe Us” T-shirts as a demonstration, and fans echoed the sentiment when WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert presented Napheesa Collier with the game’s MVP trophy. Napheesa Collier publicly criticized the league’s leadership, calling it “the worst leadership in the world.”
Key Provisions of the New CBA
The new CBA delivers substantial financial benefits to WNBA players. The average salary will increase to $583,000, a significant jump from $120,000 last year. Elite players can now earn over $1 million annually. Additional benefits include increased bonus amounts for championship and postseason awards, as well as one-time bonuses for WNBA veterans and retired players based on years of service. Players will likewise receive a share of league revenue that is nearly double the previous amount.
Growth and Leverage Fuel Agreement
The players’ strengthened negotiating position stemmed from the WNBA’s recent surge in popularity and financial success. In 2024, the league welcomed its most transformative draft class, featuring Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. The WNBA also secured a record $2.2 billion media-rights deal with Disney, NBC, and Amazon. Last season saw record-breaking attendance and television viewership.
Expansion and New Opportunities
The WNBA is also expanding, with new franchises planned for Toronto, Portland, Detroit, Philadelphia, and Cleveland, joining the Golden State Valkyries, the league’s first new franchise since 2008. This expansion has generated $1 billion in expansion fees since 2023 according to Front Office Sports. The growing league provides players with more opportunities and increased leverage in negotiations.
Addressing the Offseason Challenge
Historically, many WNBA players have supplemented their income by playing overseas during the offseason due to insufficient domestic compensation. The new CBA, coupled with the emergence of alternative leagues like Unrivaled—founded by Collier and Breanna Stewart, offering an average salary of $220,000 for 10 weeks of play—aims to reduce this reliance on overseas play. Paige Bueckers signed a three-year deal with Unrivaled, earning more in her first year than her entire four-year WNBA rookie contract according to ESPN. A new international women’s league promising seven-figure salaries is also set to launch later this year, further increasing options for players.
A Landmark Deal, But Work Remains
While the new agreement is a landmark achievement, challenges remain. The WNBA still lags behind men’s sports in revenue, investment, and overall attention. Closing this gap will require sustained effort and continued growth. However, the progress made in the past 30 years demonstrates the league’s potential. As WNBA Players Association President Nneka Ogwumike stated on social media, “We always told you we were going to stand on business, and that’s what this looks like.”