THE WNBA is quickly headed towards a lockout.
The WNBPA has around 60 days to agree with the league on a new collective bargaining agreement, but things don’t look good.
The WNBA has yet to agree with the WNBPA on a new collective bargaining agreement[/caption]
It is looking more and more likely that there will be a work stoppage[/caption]
According to Front Office Sports, a deadline extension is the only thing that will stop the league from having a work stoppage.
“The players are working diligently to achieve a transformational CBA that builds on the growth, momentum, and positive news surrounding women’s sports and the W,” WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson told FOS.
“As we approach the 60-day mark, the league’s lack of urgency leaves players wondering if it is focused on making this work or just running out the clock.
“Fans do not want that. They are with the players in demanding a new standard for the W.”
The league sent its own statement to Front Office Sports on Monday.
“We have been clear with the WNBPA but so there is no doubt—our number one priority is to get a new collective bargaining agreement completed that addresses the players’ priorities while also supporting the long-term growth and success of the league and teams,” the statement said.
“We have been meeting with the union throughout the summer and will continue to meet until this gets done, with additional sessions already scheduled through the rest of the season.”
The WNBA playoffs end by October 17, so there won’t be any time missed this year.
However, there is a real chance that the league could miss the entire season in 2026.
There is a precedent where the two parties could extend the deadline.
In 2019, the league and the union extended the deadline by 60 days.
That allowed them to complete negotiations before free agency started.
However, this year is much different.
There are multiple expansion teams coming, and no rules have been set for expansion drafts.
That can’t be set until a CBA is in place, and a CBA won’t be in place until the players get what they want.
WNBA 2025 All-Star Roster
Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier have been named captains of the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game.
Guards:
- Paige Bueckers* – Dallas Wings
- Caitlin Clark* – Indiana Fever
- Sabrina Ionescu* – New York Liberty
- Allisha Gray* – Atlanta Dream
- Kelsey Mitchell – Indiana Fever
- Skylar Diggins – Seattle Storm
- Kelsey Plum – Los Angeles Sparks
- Brittany Sykes – Washington Mystics
- Natasha Cloud – New York Liberty
- Jackie Young – Las Vegas Aces
Frontcourt:
- Napheesa Collier* – Minnesota Lynx
- A’ja Wilson* – Las Vegas Aces
- Breanna Stewart* – New York Liberty
- Aliyah Boston* – Indiana Fever
- Nneka Ogwumike* – Seattle Storm
- Satou Sabally* – Phoenix Mercury
- Angel Reese – Chicago Sky
- Kiki Iriafen – Washington Mystics
- Gabby Williams – Seattle Storm
- Alyssa Thomas – Phoenix Mercury
*Voted as a starter
The WNBA has never lost games to a work stoppage, but it appears on track to happen in this cycle.
The union is looking to transform the revenue-sharing structure, and could look to reflect the NBA’s version.
In the NBA, players get about half of the league’s revenue and the salary cap rises with the revenue rise.
Last season, the NBA salary cap rose by 10 percent. Each year, the WNBA salary cap rises at a fixed three percent.
The main focus for the WNBPA is to get players a better portion of the league’s revenue in the future.
