The 11th Hour: WNBA Sets High-Stakes March 10 Deadline for New CBA

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After 16 months of grueling negotiations and multiple extensions, the WNBA has officially drawn a line in the sand. On Monday, February 23, 2026, the league informed the WNBPA (Players Association) that a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) must be reached by March 10 to avoid significant disruptions to the 2026 season.

This marks the first concrete deadline issued by the league. With opening night scheduled for May 8, the clock isn’t just ticking—it’s echoing.

Why March 10? The Logistical Logjam

The league’s urgency stems from a “bottleneck” of offseason events that cannot proceed without a ratified labor deal. If a handshake agreement isn’t reached by the deadline, the following milestones are at risk:

The Expansion Draft: The league is set to welcome two new franchises in 2026—the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire. Their rosters cannot be built until the draft rules are codified in the new CBA.
Free Agency: Currently under a moratorium, roughly 80% of the league’s players are waiting to sign new contracts.
The 2026 WNBA Draft: Scheduled for April 13, featuring top collegiate stars like Paige Bueckers.
Training Camp: Set to open on April 19, just nine days after the college draft.

The Sticking Points: Gross vs. Net Revenue

Despite “unprecedented growth” in the league’s valuation—including an 11-year media rights deal worth roughly $2.2 billion—the two sides remain fundamentally divided on the math:

Revenue Sharing: The union is fighting for a cut of gross revenue (roughly 27–30%), while the league has proposed a system giving players 70% of net revenue (after expenses like charter flights and facility upgrades are deducted).
Salary Caps: The WNBPA is seeking a 2026 salary cap near $9.5 million, while the league’s latest offer holds firm at $5.65 million.
Housing: A major flashpoint has been team-provided housing. The league recently offered a concession to provide housing for all players in 2026, but only for minimum-salary players in 2027 and 2028.

Voices from the Negotiating Table

The tension was palpable during Monday’s virtual session, which included more than 50 players and high-level league executives.

“We’re getting awfully close to the 11th hour… I want to play whatever role would be most productive in getting a deal done.”

— Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner (speaking at All-Star Weekend)

“This shows our value and how what we’re fighting for makes sense. We expect substantive movement.”

— Brianna Turner, WNBPA Treasurer, following news that the league triggered revenue sharing for the first time in 2025.

The 2026 Financial Gap

Category	League Proposal	Union Proposal
2026 Salary Cap	$5.65 Million	~$9.5 Million
Max Salary (2026)	~$1.3 Million (with sharing)	~$1.5+ Million
Revenue Model	70% of Net	~30% of Gross
Housing	Phased out by 2028	Guaranteed for life of CBA

What Happens Next?

The WNBPA leadership is currently convening to determine their response to the league’s Friday proposal. With the March 10 deadline looming, the possibility of a player strike—which was authorized by the union in December—remains a realistic “nuclear option” if the revenue-sharing deadlock isn’t broken.