By Noah Zimmerman
noah@queensledger.com
90% of the WNBA participated in a unanimous “yes” vote to ratify the newly penned collective bargaining agreement this week. Pending approval from the league’s board of governors, the new CBA will push the league’s salary cap up to $7 million (changing alongside revenue growth each year), an increase in both minimum and maximum salaries, continued housing assistance, and an expanded regular season starting in 2027.
“Being able to have your worth tied mostly in your salary is all that we’ve been fighting for, and it’s what we were able to achieve,” said WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike of the Seattle Storm. “Prioritizing where you want to play is going to look a lot different now that we’ve been able to negotiate a structure, a salary structure, that is tied to the revenue of the business.”
For years, WNBA stars had to play overseas during the offseason to supplement their professional contracts. Now with more salary flexibility, players will have much more freedom to play where they want outside of the season, rather than out of necessity.
“We really came to an agreement, a CBA that is going to be historical, that’s going to create generational wealth,” said Liberty star and WNBPA Vice President Breanna Stewart. “With the new opportunity for wealth for all the players in our league and the players that came before us, I’m really excited.”
The new CBA will run for seven years until the conclusion of the 2032 season. It’s a transformational deal that could propel the WNBA into a new era and empower the next generation of women’s basketball players.
