The WNBA and WNBPA (players union) have revised the deadline for the past Collective Bargaining Agreement, with the most recent deadline ending today, Jan. 9.
That means that in theory, if there is no agreement in place, the owners could lock the players out (and no, the team owners do NOT want to lock the players out to this point) or the players could go on strike. Actually, the players have already authorized the union’s Executive Committee to call a strike.Alright, so will we see a new CBA agreement
tomorrow? No, according to ESPN’s Kendra Andrews. Instead, the two sides will continue to negotiate in good faith.
ESPN’s Alexa Philippou also added that the league has never considered locking out the players during this process.
Philippou also added that both the WNBA and the WNBPA will reach a deal sooner rather than later. However, because of the protracted negotiations, the offseason period, like the expansion draft for the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, and free agency, would be in a smaller time window than usual. Typically, teams can start negotiating with free agents in January, then announce signings in February.
And here is something that both sides want from the deal: money. The new WNBA media rights deal is tied to the NBA’s deal that started last fall. I never really foresaw a situation where both the WNBA and the WNBPA would put the 2026 season at risk of being shortened, or worse, cancelled. WNBA players have other legitimate leagues they can play in during these negotiations, such as those in Europe, Australia, China, South Korea, and other startup leagues that they have an ownership stake in — this is why they have leverage. But at the same time, the WNBA has the largest media presence.
Here’s hoping that the sides get to a deal soon so the games can be played and so fans can continue to enjoy WNBA basketball this summer.
