The WNBA and its players’ union have reached an agreement to implement a moratorium on league operations. This decision came after failing to finalize a new collective bargaining agreement or extend the existing one by the deadline on Friday. Negotiations are ongoing, primarily focusing on salary and revenue sharing, with significant differences between the two parties.
The moratorium will pause the initial stages of free agency, preventing teams from issuing qualifying offers and franchise tag designations to players. Prior to this, under U.S. labor laws, teams were allowed to send out qualifying offers under the previous CBA, with Sunday marking the start of this process.
While the moratorium is a logical step for both sides, they remain at odds on crucial matters. The league’s recent proposal includes a maximum base salary of $1 million in 2026, potentially rising to $1.3 million through revenue sharing. This represents a substantial increase from the current $249,000, with the possibility of reaching nearly $2 million over the agreement’s duration. Additionally, players could receive over 70% of net revenue, factoring in expenses such as improved facilities, charter flights, elite accommodations, medical services, security, and arena upkeep.
Looking ahead, the average salary in 2026 is projected to exceed $530,000, a significant rise from the current $120,000, eventually climbing to over $770,000 throughout the agreement. The minimum salary would also see a considerable boost from $67,000 to around $250,000 in the initial year. Furthermore, young star players like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers, who are still on rookie contracts, would receive nearly double the league’s minimum salary under the proposed terms.
Revenue sharing remains a major point of contention in the negotiations. The union’s proposal suggests allocating around 30% of gross revenue to players, calculated before deducting expenses in the first year. Teams would operate under a $10.5 million salary cap for player signings, with the revenue sharing percentage set to increase marginally each year according to the union’s plan.
