The WNBA and the players’ union are scheduled to convene in New York on Monday after a prolonged hiatus to push forward with the stalled collective bargaining talks.
Kelsey Plum, the vice president of the players’ union, disclosed the upcoming meeting to reporters while gearing up for a game in Philadelphia with the 3-on-3 league Unrivaled. Plum expressed optimism about the meeting, acknowledging the significance of the discussions and the mutual understanding of the stakes involved. She emphasized her positive approach and eagerness to find common ground.
Joining Plum at the meeting will be other members of the executive council, such as Nneka Ogwumike and Napheesa Collier, alongside union leadership. The league’s negotiating team, which includes WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, the labor relations committee, and a few team owners, will also be present at the meeting, according to a source familiar with the matter.
The meeting was eagerly anticipated by the league, with negotiations being sought for several weeks before it was confirmed by the union on Thursday. Players at Unrivaled mentioned that union representatives had been actively engaging with them, indicating ongoing efforts to maintain communication.
The negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement have hit a roadblock in recent weeks, with the union awaiting a response to their proposal sent around the holiday season, outlining a 30 percent gross revenue share for players. However, the league reportedly viewed this proposal as similar to the previous one, as per another source familiar with the negotiations.
The most recent offer from the league includes a provision for a maximum base salary of $1 million in 2026, potentially rising to $1.3 million through revenue sharing, a significant increase from the current $249,000. Despite the impasse, the two sides have maintained a “status quo” post the expiration of the current CBA on Jan. 9, leading to a moratorium on free agency activities.
If a resolution is not reached soon, there could be potential delays in the commencement of the 2026 season, as evidenced by the postponement of the expansion draft for Toronto and Portland. The league has already unveiled the schedule, with the regular season slated to kick off on May 8.
The previous CBA was announced in mid-January 2020, a month after its initial agreement. The timeline for reaching a new CBA could potentially extend up to two months before entering free agency, which was initially earmarked to begin on Sunday.