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There will be a WNBA season, after all.
After fears of a lockout gave way to prolonged negotiations and the seemingly legitimate possibility of the 2026 season at least being delayed, the WNBA and the league's players association agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) early Wednesday morning.
The previous CBA expired on the final day of October, but the league avoided an official lockout as negotiations continued. With increasing threats that the season would have to be pushed back, talks ramped up in recent days.
Here's a look at what the new CBA means for player salaries, the salary cap and the 2026 season.
MORE: Full FIBA World Cup qualifying schedule
WNBA new CBA details
While the full details of the new CBA are still trickling out, it is expected to significantly increase player salaries and include a salary cap increase of 450 percent. The new salary system will be "directly tied to revenue growth," according to ESPN, which will likely usher in the league's first-ever $1 million annual salaries. The agreement includes an average revenue share of nearly 20 percent.
WNBA president Nneka Ogwumike also said she expects the new revenue-sharing system to improve facilities and resources across the board in the league.
The agreement also clears the way for the rest of the WNBA's offseason business to take place. In addition to the WNBA Draft on April 13, the league must hold free agency and an expansion draft for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo.
In a statement announcing the agreement, WNBPA executive committee VP Alysha Clark said the new CBA is a "defining moment" for women's basketball. "We are changing the economics of this game. Players sharing in the business we’ve built. Salaries that reflect our value. A system that grows with the league. These are real changes that strengthen the players, elevate the game, and make the product on the floor better," Clark said.
MORE: Full box score as Caitlin Clark, USA win FIBA qualifier
WNBA player contracts
The new CBA is expected to raise average player salaries to about $600,000, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. That is a massive increase, as Spotrac says its data indicates the average league salary was $107,000 last season.
Minimum salaries are set to settle above $300,000, while super max contracts will be in the range of $1.4 million under the new agreement.
The start of free agency, which has not yet been determined, will offer players the first opportunity to take advantage of the new system and cash in with what should be record-setting deals.
WNBA salary cap
The WNBA's new salary cap will be $7 million, according to Charania, a massive increase from the previous cap of $1.5 million. Reports had indicated the WNBA's most recent proposal was a $6.2 million cap.
Players will be able to make at least $1 million annually for the first time with the elevated cap, while the average player salary will be close to five times what it previously was.
MORE: Caitlin Clark's full stats through four FIBA World Cup qualifying games
When does WNBA season start?
The 2026 WNBA season is expected to tip off on May 8, as scheduled.
Recent negotiations between the league and the players came under the threat of the start of the season being delayed if no agreement was reached. Free agency, the draft and an expansion draft still need to take place, and players need time to practice before the start of the season, which made the timeline to start the season on time virtually impossible if negotiations had continued to drag out.
Instead, this agreement allows the league to start up on time and play a standard schedule.
Key dates for WNBA season
Here are the dates to know for the upcoming season:
- TBD: Free agency starts
- TBD: Expansion draft
- April 13: WNBA Draft
- April 19: Training camp begins
- April 25: Preseason begins
- May 8: Regular season begins
- June 30: Commissioner's Cup championship game
- Aug. 31-Sept. 16: FIBA World Cup break
- Sept. 27: WNBA playoffs begin
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