After 100-plus hours of marathon bargaining sessions, the WNBA and players' union reached a verbal agreement Wednesday on a collective bargaining agreement that will increase the salary cap from $1.5 million to $7 million. The deal, announced at 3 a.m. ET in a Manhattan hotel lobby, represents the most significant financial leap in league history as the WNBA prepares for its 30th season.
A single comparison captures the scale of change: where players earned minimum salaries of $66,079 in 2025, the floor now sits above $300,000. The supermax salary jumps from $249,244 to $1.4 million, while the average salary climbs from $120,000 to around $600,000.
"For the first time player salaries are tied to a truly meaningful share of league revenue," said WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike in a statement. The revenue share will reach nearly 20% across the length of the deal, marking a complete departure from how the league has distributed its growing financial resources.
The agreement comes just 51 days before the league's May 8 season opener, after talks that often turned contentious over the past eight months. Both sides had remained far apart in recent weeks, raising concerns about potential schedule disruptions. But Commissioner Cathy Engelbert confirmed that training camp will still open April 19 as planned, with preseason games beginning April 25.
The financial overhaul reflects the WNBA's unprecedented growth trajectory. Viewership, attendance, and investment have reached historic levels, driven in part by stars like Caitlin Clark and a new generation of fans. The league's popularity surge created leverage for players who opted out of their previous CBA in October 2024, five months before it was set to expire.
"This deal is going to be life-changing," said WNBPA vice president Breanna Stewart. "It's going to build and help create a system where everybody is getting exactly what they deserve and more, from on the court and off the court aspects."
The massive salary cap increase will reshape roster construction and player movement across all 12 franchises. Teams that have been operating under severe financial constraints will suddenly have significant cap space to pursue marquee free agents. The expanded financial resources also mean players will no longer need to supplement WNBA salaries with overseas play during the offseason, potentially keeping more talent stateside year-round.
Players opt out of previous CBA, 17 months early
Original CBA expiration date
Final week of intensive bargaining at The Langham hotel
Verbal agreement reached
The emotional weight of the moment wasn't lost on negotiators. WNBPA vice president Alysha Clark gave what witnesses described as an emotional toast as both sides shared champagne in their conference room. "What we just accomplished is going to change the lives of so many players," Clark said. "Players like me are going to be the ones that I think feel it the most."
This marks the sixth CBA in league history, following agreements in 1999, 2003, 2008, 2014, and 2020. But none approached the financial magnitude of this deal. The previous CBA's $1.5 million salary cap forced teams into difficult roster decisions, often prioritizing veteran leadership over young talent simply due to salary constraints.
WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson framed the agreement as "player empowerment" in action. "Players coming to the table and standing on business and being reminded of the collective voice and of the power of this union," she said.
The deal also addresses broader infrastructure concerns that have long plagued the league. Ogwumike noted that improvements in "facilities, staffing and support" are included, though specific details haven't been announced. These changes could significantly impact player development and league competitiveness.
With free agency looming, front offices across the league are already recalibrating their strategies. The expanded salary cap means teams can finally compete for top-tier talent without the financial gymnastics that characterized previous offseasons. Expect aggressive spending as franchises attempt to capitalize on the league's momentum.
"I really feel like a lot of what we were at the table for was for the next generation," Ogwumike reflected. "When we consider the next 10 years, this is really going to continue to catapult us."
The verbal agreement still requires formal ratification, but both sides expressed confidence in completing the process before training camps open. After months of uncertainty, the WNBA can now focus on what promises to be its most competitive and well-compensated season in history.