WNBA reaches late-night verbal CBA agreement to likely save 2026 season after contentious fight

There will be a 2026 WNBA season … tentatively.

The WNBA and Women’s National Basketball Players’ Association verbally agreed to a tentative collective bargaining agreement in the early hours of the morning Wednesday, likely putting an end to lengthy, contentious negotiations fraught with drama that, at times, rivaled reality TV. 

A series of marathon bargaining sessions over the past week closed the gap between the WNBA and players union proposals and allowed the two sides to find common ground on revenue sharing and team-provided housing in time to allow for the season to start on schedule and avoid the league’s first work stoppage.

The deal was reached 51 days before the season is set to begin.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced a new WNBA labor agreement. NBAE via Getty Images

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, along with WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson and four members of the WNBPA executive committee, announced the news at 3 a.m. to reporters at a New York City hotel, ESPN.com reported.

“The progress made in these discussions marks a transformative step forward for players and the league and it’s underscoring a shared commitment to the continued growth of the game,” Engelbert said, per ESPN. “It’s [been] a process, but we’re very proud to be leading in women’s sports, and these players are amazing, and we’re going to have an amazing 30th season tipping off in May.”

Neither side shared details of the agreement.

With the WNBA surging in popularity and reaping the financial rewards of this growth, players opted out of the previous CBA in October 2024 to seek a “business model that reflects their true value,” which included higher salaries, improved working conditions and expanded health benefits. 

At the 2025 WNBA Draft, Engelbert shared aspirations for designing a “transformational” deal that would feature a “fair” and “sustainable economic model.” 

But little progress was made throughout the WNBA regular season. 

The players union put on a united front throughout the negotiation process, with players creating a viral moment at the All-Star Game in July when they arrived to warm-ups wearing “Pay Us What You Owe Us” shirts. 

But the cracks in that solid foundation started to show in recent weeks.

A’ja Wilson celebrates winning the 2025 WNBA Finals for the Aces. NBAE via Getty Images

After players voted in December for the WNBPA executive committee to call a strike “when necessary,” some players softened their stance in recent weeks.

Kelsey Plum and Breanna Stewart, both members of the WNBPA executive committee, earlier this month said a strike would be “the worst thing.” The two also co-authored a March 2 letter expressing concerns regarding the handling of ongoing negotiations.

There’s a lot that needs to happen before the season can start May 8. The CBA next will have to be officially approved by both sides and then go through the legal vetting process in order to be ratified.

Then, the league will need to execute a two-team expansion draft, a supersized free agency and the college draft. 

Training camps are scheduled for April 18. 

The Liberty are slated to play their first preseason game against the Fever on April 25 before opening their season May 8 at Barclays Center against the Sun.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.