Jenny Allen, Staff Writer<\/p>\n
The Women\u2019s National Basketball Association and the Women\u2019s National Basketball Player Association announced a new collective bargaining agreement<\/a> in March.\u00a0<\/p>\n The new seven-year CBA began in the 2026 season and extends through 2032. It marks one of the most groundbreaking labor agreements in professional sports.\u00a0<\/p>\n In recent years, professional women\u2019s sports have been exceeding expectations, quickly winning over fans.\u00a0<\/p>\n Despite the argument regarding the value differences between men\u2019s and women\u2019s professional sports, both athletes work equally as hard and both should be recognized for their skills.\u00a0<\/p>\n Disregarding gender bias \u2014 fans support talent, dedication and hard work; the women\u2019s professional sports industry growth has proven what they have to offer is equally as enjoyable and compelling as men\u2019s sports.\u00a0<\/p>\n The hypergrowth is currently expanding 4.5 times faster than men\u2019s sports, according to Denver 7<\/a>. The global revenue for women\u2019s sports are projected to reach $2.3 billion this year alone.\u00a0<\/p>\n As a result, the CBA agreement will result in major changes towards WNBA players compensation with a salary cap set at $7 million for the 2026 season. This is a 364% increase \u2014 the largest in U.S. professional sports history. The cap will be adjusted annually depending on both league and team revenue changes.\u00a0<\/p>\n After the monumental 2025 season, the WNBA reached records with the most-watched regular season, postseason, opening weekend and three point contest ever, according to ESPN Press Room.<\/a> Across the 25 regular season games, the WNBA on ESPN networks averaged 1.3 million views which marks a 6% increase year-over-year.\u00a0<\/p>\n With viewership proving their worth, the WNBA projects more than $1 billion in player salaries and benefits.\u00a0<\/p>\n Top players will now have the opportunity to sign history-making multi-million dollar contracts for the first time ever. Maximum-contract players will earn a salary of $1.4 million in 2026 with an expectation to grow to more than $2.4 million by the end of the agreement.\u00a0<\/p>\n