The WNBA’s newest collective bargaining settlement proposal from Friday included some concessions on housing and facility requirements, nevertheless it didn’t embody a big replace on the league’s proposed income sharing system, sources advised ESPN on Saturday.
As a part of the housing concessions, gamers on their relevant minimal wage and people with zero years of service can be offered a one-bedroom condo for the primary three years of the brand new deal, sources stated. Developmental gamers can be offered studio flats, based on sources.
It’s unclear how the gamers have obtained the brand new CBA proposal, which got here Friday, greater than six weeks after the gamers’ affiliation made its final provide round Christmas time.
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The league beforehand didn’t embody any housing provisions in its proposals. WNBA groups have been required to offer housing for gamers for the reason that first CBA was ratified in 1999. Within the earlier settlement, groups may present housing within the type of a one-bedroom condo or a stipend.
By far the most important space of disagreement between the events has been how income sharing ought to work in a brand new deal.
The league has proposed that gamers obtain on common over 70% of internet income, outlined as income after deducting bills. Its newest proposal included a $5.65 million wage cap in 2026 (up from roughly $1.5 million in 2025) and it could develop in subsequent years consistent with income progress.
In its earlier proposal, most salaries, together with income share payouts, would quantity to $1.3 million in 2026 and have been projected to strategy $2 million in 2031. The supermax in 2025 got here in at $249,000. The common participant wage, together with income sharing, was projected to succeed in $540,000 in 2026 and $780,000 by 2031, up from $120,000 in 2025.
The gamers, in the meantime, have proposed a $10.5 million wage cap and pushed to obtain 30% of gross income — outlined as income earlier than deducting bills — whereas saying the league’s proposal constitutes lower than 15% of gross income.
A number of sources advised ESPN that the league projected the union’s plan would end in $700 million in losses over the course of the settlement and that it could jeopardize the league’s monetary well being. The union believes its income sharing mannequin nonetheless places the league in a “worthwhile place,” a separate supply near the negotiations stated, and calls the league’s projected loss determine “completely false,” citing a distinction in whether or not enlargement charges are factored into these calculations.
On Monday, the league and gamers union met in a pivotal bargaining session that additionally included gamers and house owners. Based on presentation slides from the assembly obtained by ESPN, the league confirmed gamers it is usually providing extra allowable assured contracts per staff and two new developmental participant roster spots.
The slides additionally point out the league’s earlier proposal consists of pregnant participant commerce consent, elimination of marijuana testing, greater staff contributions to gamers’ 401(okay) retirement accounts, new staff staffing necessities and a recognition cost for present retirees.
A supply stated that in Monday’s assembly, gamers emphasised the significance of housing and facility requirements and that the league’s new proposal additionally incorporates among the latter, although it’s unclear what these new requirements are.
WNBPA management will meet within the coming days to overview the league’s proposal, one other supply advised ESPN. The WNBPA participant physique gave the chief committee the precise to name a strike in December, one thing the gamers have known as being of their again pocket.
The league’s 2026 season is scheduled to tip on Could 8, however first a brand new CBA should be agreed upon, plus a two-team enlargement draft and free company for all however two of the league’s veterans should happen.
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne contributed to this report.