\t\t\t\t\t![\"WNBA](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/GettyImages-174199198.jpg\")
Rebekkah Brunson #32 of the Minnesota Lynx lays up a shot under pressure from Krystal Thomas #34 of the Phoenix Mercury during the first half of the WNBA game at US Airways Center on July 21, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
*As the 2026 WNBA season nears, the league still lacks a finalized collective bargaining agreement.<\/p>\n
ESPN<\/a> reported that the WNBA Players\u2019 Association submitted a new counterproposal to the league, modifying two central issues in negotiations: revenue sharing and player housing. The union\u2019s revised offer marks a notable reduction from its previous demands. Instead of the 31 percent of gross revenue and a near $10.5 million salary cap requested in December, the WNBPA is now proposing an average of 27.5 percent of gross revenue over the life of the deal. In the first year, the proposal calls for 25 percent of revenue and a salary cap under $9.5 million.<\/p>\n Changes to the housing component also include a transition plan. The union recommends that team-provided housing remain available for players in the initial years of the new agreement but gradually phase out for top earners on multiyear contracts, while guaranteeing full salary protection as the CBA progresses.<\/p>\n Despite these concessions, the league has pushed back. \u201cThe Players Association\u2019s latest proposal remains unrealistic and would cause hundreds of millions of dollars of losses for our teams,\u201d a WNBA spokesperson said. \u201cWe still need to complete two Drafts and free agency before the start of training camp and are running out of time. We believe the WNBA\u2019s proposal would result in a huge win for current players and generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n NBA commissioner Adam Silver commented on the negotiations during a February 14 All-Star Weekend press conference, calling the situation \u201cunfortunate\u201d given the league\u2019s recent growth.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re coming off tremendous momentum in the WNBA,\u201d he said. \u201cIn the last few years in particular, the league has turned a corner in terms of fan interest, the commercial success, [and] popularity of players.\u201d He did not set a firm deadline but noted the shrinking window as training camps approach.<\/p>\n A failed deal carries significant risks. In December, players voted 98 percent in favor of authorizing a strike if necessary. A work stoppage could delay the season. As of now, the 2026 WNBA Draft is scheduled for April 13, with the season set to begin May 8.<\/p>\n MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM<\/a>:Former White House Staffer Urges Civil Rights Probe into Caitlin Clark\u2019s Treatment in WNBA<\/a><\/p>\n