Why housing is an issue in WNBA CBA negotiations

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The ongoing negotiations between the WNBA and WNBA Players Association for the league’s future have seen some big numbers, but there’s a downside.

The league has proposed a seven-figure base max salary as part of a new collective bargaining agreement, but team housing has been removed from proposals.

As the CBA talks have continued, many WNBA players have been reporting to Unrivaled, a domestic 3-on-3 league, which was established by players Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart to provide a better offseason playing opportunity.

“Us being here in December and January until March, it’s a crucial time in the CBA,” Collier said. “So many things need to happen in that time. Because of that, having us all in one place is beneficial. Things are going to get done.”

Collier emphasized that revenue sharing and salary structures are the two biggest points that players will talk about, but the other points are also important.

How WNBA housing works

Since the first CBA in 1999, the WNBA has been required to provide in-season housing from the regular season through the playoffs, in addition to training camp accommodations.

The last CBA didn’t have a set limit for what teams can spend on housing, but it’s obviously a massive financial undertaking. Players can either choose to live in team-provided housing or receive a monthly stipend.

The majority of players rely on team housing rather than choosing the stipend, per ESPN. Given how often WNBA players move, whether it’s playing overseas or training in a different area, it’s not surprising.

The stipend varies best on the team’s market.

The Mercury’s estimated stipend is $1,471, making it the seventh-highest of the 12 available figures from teams. The Golden State Valkyries’ figures were unknown in the report, as the team joined the WNBA after the negotiations of the latest CBA.

New York has the highest cost of living, and the highest stipend of $2,647, while Las Vegas has the lowest stipend of $1,177.

However, teams can still spend more than the stipend limit to secure housing, but the housing has to align with what’s allowed in the CBA and can’t be excessive. If a player wants to upgrade her housing, she can pay the team the difference in cost.

The accommodations can extend into the offseason as players who are rehabbing an injury sustained during the season can live in team-provided housing. Players who are paid to market the team during the offseason can also exercise this option.

Why housing is important

Many WNBA players live out of their suitcases because teams carry a maximum of 12 players on their roster.

Some teams don’t even have 12 players due to salary cap constraints, which puts them in a bind. With so few roster spots and no two-way contracts like in the NBA, injuries can derail teams, who then bring in players on hardship contracts.

Those players are often there until the team reaches the minimum number of 10 available players, which means that it would create a hardship to sign a lease in a city they’ll be in for a few weeks. Nor should they sign another lease when another team likely picks them up in the same season.

Aside from players on hardship contracts, unprotected players can move easily since teams can protect only six contracts per season.

If a player signs an unprotected contract in free agency, moves to that team’s city, and is cut, the player doesn’t receive their entire contract salary.

There is also a consideration on the part of owners. Some teams could lose a competitive advantage. If housing is taken out of the equation, markets with higher rent, like New York and San Francisco, might be at a disadvantage as a greater percentage of the free agent contract would go to rent compared to a market like Indianapolis or Las Vegas.

Do other leagues provide housing?

Housing isn’t provided in the top tier of other sports.

The NFL provides housing during minicamps, while the NBA reimburses players for housing costs after a trade. MLS teams have discretionary funds that can be used to support player lodging, but it’s not a requirement. The NHL actually prohibits teams from paying for offseason housing in-market. Both NBA G-League and MLB minor league players are provided housing.

For other major women’s sports leagues, housing is a key topic.

In the Professional Women’s Hockey League, players receive a fixed stipend that began with $1,500 in 2023 and is rising by $100 per year. Athletes Unlimited provides housing for all players in its softball, basketball and volleyball leagues, as does Unrivaled.

National Women’s Soccer League teams have historically provided housing for players, but the newest CBA ratified in 2024 phases out that requirement by 2027, with some stipulations for players whose salaries haven’t risen to a specific level or who play in more expensive markets to continue to receive stipends.

What can happen

If housing isn’t included in the CBA, and it’s not prohibited, it could be up to individual teams to decide whether they provide accommodations for players.

Much like upgraded practice facilities, it could create another competitive advantage for teams.

Reach the reporter at jenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com, as well as @jennarortiz on X.

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Why housing is an issue in WNBA CBA negotiations

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