The WNBA and its players' union have failed to reach a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) by the Friday night deadline, entering a 'status-quo' period with no extension in place. This means negotiations will continue with the current CBA still in effect. The league and players had two previous extensions, with the most recent one expiring on Friday night. Despite meeting several times this week, they remain far apart on key issues such as salary structure and revenue-sharing. The union expressed frustration, stating, 'Despite demonstrating our willingness to compromise, the WNBA and its teams have failed to meet us at the table with the same spirit and seriousness.' If a new CBA isn't agreed upon soon, it could delay the start of the 2026 season. The last CBA was announced in January 2020, and it could take two months from the agreement of a new CBA to the start of free agency. The WNBA, under U.S. labor law, has a status-quo obligation to allow teams to send out qualifying offers under the expired CBA agreement. The league offered a moratorium, but with no agreement, teams can now send qualifying offers to free agents starting on Sunday. However, due to uncertainty around the new salary structure and salary cap, no teams are expected to make those offers. The league's recent offer would guarantee a maximum base salary of $1 million in 2026, up from the current $249,000. The union's counter-proposal would give players around 30% of the gross revenue, with a $10.5 million salary cap for teams. The union emphasizes the importance of pay equity, stating, 'Make no mistake. Pay equity is not optional and progress is long overdue.' The players are urging the league and its teams to meet this moment.
