The WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association announced on Friday that they have reached a tentative agreement on a “groundbreaking” seven-year collective bargaining deal following months of intense negotiations.
The new agreement, which will take effect from the 2026 season and run through 2032, introduces a dramatic increase in the salary cap—from $1.5 million to $7 million in its first year. The cap will continue to rise annually in line with league and team revenue growth, according to a joint statement.
The deal establishes what is being described as the first comprehensive revenue-sharing system in women’s professional sports, giving players the opportunity to benefit directly from the league’s financial growth.
Under the revised structure, top players will be eligible to sign the first multi-million-dollar contracts in WNBA history. Maximum salaries are set at $1.4 million in 2026 and are projected to exceed $2.4 million by 2032. The average salary across the league is expected to reach $583,000 in 2026 and surpass $1 million by the end of the agreement.
Minimum salaries will also see a substantial rise, ranging from $270,000 to $300,000 in 2026 depending on experience, and increasing to between $340,000 and $380,000 by 2032. This marks a significant jump from last year’s minimum of $66,000.
The agreement introduces a revised rookie pay scale, boosting earnings for top draft picks and creating a faster pathway to maximum contracts for players still on rookie deals who achieve honors such as Most Valuable Player or All-WNBA selections.
Although the terms have been verbally agreed upon earlier in the week, the deal still requires formal ratification by the players.
In addition to financial changes, the agreement includes commitments to improve team facilities, expand staffing requirements, and implement league-wide charter air travel.
“This Collective Bargaining Agreement represents a defining moment in the league’s 30-year history and in women’s professional sports,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. She credited generations of players for their belief in the league’s growth and called the deal a reflection of that progress.
The agreement ensures that the WNBA’s 30th season will begin as scheduled on May 8 and brings an end to a prolonged and increasingly contentious dispute between the league and the players’ union.
Engelbert had faced criticism during negotiations, including from Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx, who questioned the league’s leadership.
WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike emphasized that players have always believed their growth should match that of the league.
“We love this game enough to push for what it can become—not just for ourselves, but for those who built it and those who will carry it forward,” she said. “This agreement reflects a shared commitment, with players embracing their value and shaping their future alongside a league that continues to grow stronger.”