WNBA board of governors unanimously ratifies new CBA

Field Level Media|published: Tue 24th March, 16:12 2026

WNBA: Indiana Fever at Golden State Valkyries

Aug 31, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Valkyries guard Kaitlyn Chen (2) holds a ball as the WNBA logo appears on the ball and shorts before the game against the Indiana Fever at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The WNBA Board of Governors has unanimously ratified the terms for the new collective bargaining agreement, the league announced Tuesday.

The seven-year agreement goes into effect with the 2026 season and runs through 2032.

The WNBA and Women's National Basketball Players Association will now finalize the long-form agreement.

"This marks the beginning of a bold new era of the WNBA -- one made possible by the passion and dedication of the players, team owners, fans, investors, partners and the entire WNBA family," WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement. "We remain focused on building on the unprecedented momentum around the league and preparing for our milestone 30th season, tipping off in May."

WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike announced Monday that the players had voted to ratify the CBA with a nearly unanimous vote.

The revenue-sharing deal agreed to in the new CBA hammered out this month will increase the average salary to $583,000 this season and the maximum salary to $1.4 million, while providing more than $1 billion in salaries and benefits over the contract.

The salary increases represent a significant jump for WNBA players. Team salary caps will be $7 million this season -- a huge leap from $1.5 million in 2025 -- and will be adjusted annually based on teams and league revenue growth.

The deal projects the maximum salary to reach $2.4 million by 2032, and the average salary to surpass $1 million by then. The minimum salary this season will range from $270,000 to $300,000, depending on service time. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft will earn approximately $500,000.

All players on the WNBA championship team will receive $60,000 -- the payout was $22,908 in 2025 -- and the runners-up will receive $20,000 (up from $8,521). The Finals MVP will get a $30,000 bonus (up from $5,000).

The season MVP will receive a $60,000 bonus, the Defensive Player of the Year will get $30,000 and the Rookie of the Year will receive $15,000. The All-Star Game MVP will receive $20,000.

The length of the regular season will increase to 50 games in 2027 and 2028 and 52 from 2029-32.

The WNBA Draft is slated for April 13 with training camps opening six days later.

--Field Level Media

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