As November draws to a close, the clock is ticking for the WNBA to strike a deal that satisfies both sides \u2014 team owners and the players\u2019 union \u2014 before the current extension expires on November 30. Without a new collective bargaining agreement, the league risks a shutdown: either a player strike or the dreaded lockout imposed by ownership.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, women\u2019s basketball is evolving fast. Other leagues are expanding opportunities, challenging the WNBA\u2019s traditional model, and reshaping the professional landscape. Thanks to surging media coverage and the rise of individual stars, players now see career paths that didn\u2019t exist just a few years ago. But negotiations remain tense, and the ripple effects reach all the way to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, since the WNBA still operates largely under the NBA\u2019s umbrella.<\/p>\n
Players reject \u201ctoo good to refuse\u201d offer<\/p>\n
The WNBA recently leaked details of its latest proposal to the press \u2014 a strategic move designed to sway public opinion. Headlines highlighted eye-popping numbers: maximum salaries jumping from about $249,000 to $1.1 million, minimum salaries rising from $66,000 to more than $220,000, and average pay surpassing $460,000. The message was clear: How could the players possibly turn this down?<\/p>\n
But the union insists the real issue isn\u2019t headline salaries \u2014 it\u2019s revenue sharing. Back in October 2024, players exercised their opt-out clause to end the current deal after the 2025 season. Since then, they\u2019ve made one demand crystal clear: a fairer split of league profits.<\/p>\n
What the players want<\/p>\n
Contrary to some narratives, WNBA athletes aren\u2019t asking for NBA-level salaries. They\u2019re asking for a system that mirrors the structure of men\u2019s leagues. In the NBA, players and owners split Basketball Related Income (BRI) almost evenly \u2014 typically around 50\/50. That revenue share determines the salary cap, which in turn drives player salaries.<\/p>\n
WNBA players want a similar formula. They argue that with the league\u2019s exponential growth, now is the time to secure a deal that ensures fairness for years to come. For them, it\u2019s \u201cnow or never.\u201d<\/p>\n
The fine print behind the numbers<\/p>\n
The WNBA\u2019s $1.1 million figure isn\u2019t a guaranteed base salary. It\u2019s the maximum a player could earn after stacking bonuses, marketing deals arranged by the team, and revenue-sharing payouts that have rarely materialized. In reality, base salaries remain stuck between $800,000 and $850,000.<\/p>\n
Performance bonuses are modest: <\/p>\n
$11,356 for winning the championship$5,678 for finishing as runner-up$15,450 for league MVP$10,000 for All-WNBA First Team selections$5,150 for Second Team selections$2,575 for making the All-Star Game$5,150 for All-Star MVP<\/p>\n
Marketing deals can add up to $250,000, but many top players avoid them because they conflict with more lucrative personal endorsements.<\/p>\n
A season for the HISTORY books.<\/p>\n
A\u2019ja Wilson became the first player ever to win MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP in a single season… rewriting what dominance looks like in the WNBA.<\/p>\n
This isn\u2019t just a milestone. It\u2019s a blueprint \ud83d\udc51#WNBAMilestonesWeek<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/DKhBtWw422<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 WNBA (@WNBA) November 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Why the union says \u201cNo\u201d<\/p>\n Under the current system, players only share in profits once league revenue grows by at least 20% \u2014 a threshold that has been difficult to reach since the pandemic disrupted 2020 earnings. As a result, players\u2019 share of WNBA revenue remains shockingly low. In 2022, according to Bloomberg, salaries accounted for just 9.3% of total league income.<\/p>\n That imbalance persists even as the WNBA\u2019s business booms. Deloitte reports revenue jumped from $710 million in 2024 to more than $1 billion in 2025. Yet player salaries have only grown about 3% annually.<\/p>\n For the union, the math is simple: bigger numbers don\u2019t equal fairness if the system itself is broken. Accepting the current offer would lock in inequities for years to come. So, once again, the players said no.<\/p>\n Deadline approaching<\/p>\n With less than two weeks until the November 30 deadline, the WNBA faces a defining moment. Will ownership agree to a revenue-sharing model that reflects the league\u2019s growth, or will the players hold firm and risk a lockout?<\/p>\n Either way, the outcome will shape the future of women\u2019s basketball \u2014 not just in the US, but globally.<\/p>\n Related stories<\/p>\n Get your game on! Whether you\u2019re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.<\/p>\n Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more \u2013 plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage<\/a>, right at your fingertips \u2013 anytime, anywhere.<\/p>\n