The 2025 WNBA All-Star Sport in Indianapolis is not remembered for any on-court performances however as an alternative for a collective demonstration. Throughout warmups, every All-Star donned black T-shirts that learn “Pay Us What You Owe Us.” The slogan referenced the continuing collective bargaining negotiations between the Girls’s Nationwide Basketball Gamers Affiliation and the WNBA that the gamers then believed hadn’t yielded a lot progress.
It needed to be a unanimous determination to put on the T-shirts. All 22 All-Stars have been on board.
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Solidarity has been a core precept amongst WNBA gamers properly earlier than these CBA talks. Nonetheless, like every labor negotiation, they face completely different realities. Some are millionaires due to their off-court endorsements. Others rely totally on their on-court salaries from the WNBA — which in 2025 ranged from $66,079 (the minimal) to $249,244 (the supermax) — or different leagues. Some are on rookie offers, others are nearing retirement. There are dad and mom, worldwide gamers and soon-to-be WNBA draftees ready within the wings.
And, in a more moderen improvement for this spherical of negotiations, some gamers have fairness in, and even co-founded, different skilled leagues.
Because the WNBPA and WNBA pursue what either side have mentioned will likely be a “transformational” CBA, what’s at stake for these numerous units of pursuits, and the way would possibly these variations manifest in negotiations? Forward of the brand new CBA deadline of Nov. 30, ESPN takes a have a look at the various views among the many gamers and the WNBPA, and the way they could be impacted when a brand new settlement is ratified.
Later this week, we are going to discover the administration aspect of the bargaining desk.
Negotiator: Terri Jackson, WNBPA govt director
Jackson grew to become govt director in 2016 and is concerned in her second CBA negotiations. She led the way in which in securing the 2020 settlement that had main steps ahead for the gamers: vital wage will increase, adjustments that led to extra strong free company motion and enhancements for moms and people on parental depart.
Jackson and WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert — who took over in July 2019 — labored properly collectively for the 2020 CBA. Their relationship appears to have cooled since then; Jackson criticized remarks Engelbert made in 2024 about on-line vitriol from fan bases.
This 12 months, the union has engaged in additional aggressive criticism of the WNBA/NBA about labor negotiations, making an attempt to sway public opinion with actions comparable to carrying the “Pay Us What You Owe Us” shirts on the All-Star Sport. With a lot at stake in a modified monetary panorama for the league, this could possibly be a legacy-making CBA for Jackson. So it is essential for her to maintain gamers unified, together with reassuring rank-and-file union members that their pursuits are being protected in addition to the WNBA stars’ pursuits are. — Michael Voepel
Forward of the 2025 WNBA All-Star Sport, WNBA gamers comparable to Indiana star Caitlin Clark donned T-shirts saying “Pay us what you owe us.” Steph Chambers/Getty ImagesSuperstars with massive off-court incomes
Key examples: Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever; A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces; Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty; Angel Reese, Chicago Sky; Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings
Clark, for instance, has high-profile endorsement offers with firms comparable to Nike, State Farm and Gatorade that present her far more earnings than her WNBA wage. She is a part of a bunch of gamers — each veterans and people nonetheless on rookie contracts — who may climate a possible work stoppage with out monetary hardship. That mentioned, a key a part of incomes endorsements is visibility, which the WNBA supplies.
Clark has two years left on the rookie contract she signed because the No. 1 decide in 2024. As soon as she turns into a free agent, she may afford financially to do what Wilson has achieved: take a decrease wage to make sure enjoying with a powerful group of teammates that matches underneath the wage cap. Nevertheless, we do not know if the brand new CBA will lead to fewer situations of gamers being keen or feeling the necessity to try this. — Voepel
Kiah Stokes began 18 of 40 regular-season video games for the WNBA champion Aces throughout the 2025 season, averaging 1.1 factors, 3.6 rebounds and 12.9 minutes. She has been on all three of Las Vegas’ title groups. Juan Ocampo/NBAE by way of Getty ImagesRole gamers
Key examples: Kiah Stokes, Las Vegas Aces; Natisha Hiedeman, Minnesota Lynx; Lindsay Allen, Connecticut Solar
There is a vary of views and experiences even inside this class. Some, although not all, are making good cash abroad, in Unequalled (the place there will likely be 48 roster spots in 2026, up from 36 within the inaugural season) or with Athletes Limitless (40 spots). Some, although not all, have fairly sizable sources of off-court earnings. Those who do not have both, although, are extra reliant than their friends on their WNBA jobs and on the league succeeding — and a piece stoppage would doubtless affect them most.
A four- or five-fold enhance in WNBA wage would have a major affect on this group. Extra roster spots — by way of enlargement or a rise in roster sizes — would additionally present them extra alternatives to go to groups the place they will make more cash or just discover the most effective match. — Alexa Philippou
Mystics ahead Kiki Iriafen was named to the 2025 WNBA All-Rookie crew. Wendell Cruz-Imagn ImagesPlayers on rookie contracts
Key examples: Kiki Iriafen, Washington Mystics; Aaliyah Edwards, Connecticut Solar; Maddy Siegrist, Dallas Wings
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Not all younger WNBA gamers are as lucky as Clark to complement their earnings off the court docket. For them, the diploma to which the league will increase the minimal wage could possibly be essential. When the minimal went up 36% in 2020 initially of the present CBA, rookie contracts have been revised upward so no participant would make lower than the minimal.
Given the probability of a a lot greater soar this time round — league sources have speculated the minimal wage may quadruple — latest draft picks stand to money in regardless of being underneath contract. On the similar time, with lengthy careers hopefully in entrance of them, the WNBA’s younger gamers will not need to lock in a deal that limits their incomes the other way up the street.
For future stars, this CBA won’t solely decide the following few seasons but in addition set the stage for subsequent agreements. — Kevin Pelton
DeWanna Bonner, 38, is a two-time WNBA champion who simply wrapped up her sixteenth season within the league. (Picture by Chris Coduto/Getty Pictures)Gamers on the verge of retirement
Key examples: DeWanna Bonner, Phoenix Mercury; Alysha Clark, Washington Mystics; Sami Whitcomb, Phoenix Mercury; Tina Charles, Connecticut Solar
Bonner, who turned 38 in August, was the second-oldest energetic participant within the WNBA this previous season. In the course of the WNBA playoffs, she instructed reporters she wasn’t positive whether or not she would return to play in 2026. Whether or not she does or not, a participant her age doubtless has a powerful curiosity within the WNBA beginning a pension plan that’s much like what NBA gamers have. The WNBA at present has a 401(ok); the NBA has that plus a pension plan, which started within the Nineteen Sixties and is predicated on years of service and common wage. Present WNBA gamers need those that got here earlier than them — the league started in 1997 — to profit from a pension plan, too. — Voepel
A late second-round decide within the 2021 WNBA draft, Kiana Williams has performed a complete of 38 video games over the previous 5 seasons, with stops in Seattle, Phoenix and Connecticut. Tim Heitman/NBAE by way of Getty ImagesPlayers on the roster bubble
Key examples: Kiana Williams, Phoenix Mercury; Haley Jones, Dallas Wings; Elizabeth Kitley, Golden State Valkyries
Enlargement is already a boon to former faculty stars comparable to Kiana Williams — the Most Excellent Participant of the 2021 Remaining 4 as she and Jones led Stanford to the NCAA title — who’ve struggled to determine their skilled careers. There will likely be at the very least 24 new roster spots in 2026 with the Portland Fireplace and Toronto Tempo getting into the league.
Roster enlargement may create much more alternatives. WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike instructed ESPN in Could that she finds growing rosters to 13 or including an injured checklist “extremely cheap” choices.
Not solely are bigger rosters higher financially for fringe gamers, they might get an actual alternative to develop throughout the context of a particular crew’s system. That beats present hardship contracts that drive gamers comparable to Williams to fly midway throughout the nation on the final minute to affix new groups and swimsuit up instantly. — Pelton
French star Gabby Williams performed simply 12 regular-season WNBA video games in 2024, becoming a member of Seattle after the Paris Olympics. Jeff Bottari/NBAE by way of Getty ImagesInternational gamers
Key examples: Gabby Williams, Seattle Storm; Emma Meesseman, New York Liberty; Satou Sabally, Phoenix Mercury
Prioritization is high of thoughts for Gabby Williams and different worldwide stars. The rule requiring gamers to report for the beginning of coaching camp almost dominated out Williams for the 2023 season — she was eligible solely due to a concussion sustained throughout the French finals — and saved her from becoming a member of the WNBA till after the 2024 Paris Olympics.
When Williams lastly loved a full season within the WNBA in 2025, she was chosen as an All-Star for the primary time. Now that she performs for Turkish energy Fenerbahce, reporting on time should not be a problem, but when the league pushes for exclusivity, that would create tougher selections for worldwide gamers. The league may additionally search to forestall gamers from becoming a member of nationwide groups for competitions outdoors the marquee Olympics and FIBA World Cup, a problem for continental championships that do not embody USA Basketball. — Pelton
Unequalled co-founders Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier additionally function vice presidents of the WNBA govt committee. David Dow/NBAE by way of Getty ImagesWNBA govt committee members with curiosity in different leagues
Key examples: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx; Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty; Nneka Ogwumike, Seattle Storm
Three of the seven gamers on the WNBPA govt committee have stakes in different leagues. Collier and Stewart, who’re committee vice presidents, are co-founders of Unequalled, the 3-on-3 league that performed its inaugural season earlier this 12 months and gives a mean six-figure wage to the WNBA’s high expertise. Ogwumike, the WNBPA president, simply signed a contract with Venture B, a 5-on-5 league that’s supposed to start out subsequent winter and could have a Formulation 1-like format by which groups tour round Europe and Asia.
All three gamers are adamant their respective leagues aren’t in competitors with the WNBA and that there isn’t any battle of curiosity on the subject of their capability to barter the brand new CBA. They are saying they want the WNBA to succeed simply as a lot as everybody else. Nevertheless, if Unequalled continues to succeed and if Venture B can get off the bottom, this trio will not want the WNBA as a lot because the gamers who do not get invited to play in these leagues, which goal the WNBA’s high gamers.
There’s additionally a query of what would occur if prioritization turns into a sticking level in negotiations. Would they be keen to stroll away from leagues that provide them such excessive incomes? — Kendra Andrews
Sparks ahead Dearica Hamby has two children, 8-year-old daughter Maya and 2-year-old son Legend. Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty ImagesPlayers with children
Key examples: Dearica Hamby, Los Angeles Sparks; Skylar Diggins, Seattle Storm
The present CBA noticed among the largest steps ahead for fogeys and pregnant gamers within the league. It ensured new dad and mom would obtain all of their wage throughout parental depart — beforehand they have been assured solely half of it — and in addition gave them a childcare stipend, office lodging for nursing and at the very least a two-bedroom condo for gamers with kids.
Household planning advantages are at present obtainable for less than gamers with eight or extra years within the WNBA. It is essential for gamers to increase these protections and advantages.
Fever star Kelsey Mitchell made $249,244 final season because the WNBA’s highest-paid participant. Barry Gossage/NBAE by way of Getty ImagesStar gamers with much less off-court earnings
Key examples: Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever; Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix Mercury; Brionna Jones, Atlanta Dream; Natasha Howard, Indiana Fever
Mitchell was the highest-paid participant within the WNBA final 12 months ($249,244 annual earnings), however in contrast to different gamers who’re near the utmost wage, comparable to A’ja Wilson, Mitchell does not have the off-court model and endorsement offers to provide her massive supplemental earnings. Due to this, she does not have the identical monetary flexibility as others making extra off the court docket to take a decrease wage to permit extra gamers to affix her crew.
Mitchell and Thomas obtained the core designation, which permits gamers to signal a one-year qualifying supply on the WNBA’s highest doable wage however prevents them from signing with one other crew as a free agent. Over the last CBA negotiations, the utmost occasions a participant may be cored went down from three years to 2. Now there is a chance it may go down once more. If that is the case, Mitchell and Thomas can be ineligible for that tag, which might doubtless give them extra management over their future. — Andrews
JuJu Watkins is sitting out the 2025-26 girls’s faculty basketball season after struggling a torn ACL in March 2025. She has two years of faculty eligibility remaining. Brian Rothmuller/Icon SportswireFuture WNBA gamers
Key examples: JuJu Watkins, USC Trojans, Flau’jae Johnson, LSU Tigers; Sarah Robust, UConn Huskies; Lauren Betts, UCLA Bruins
Present faculty gamers aren’t technically represented on the bargaining desk, however that does not imply they don’t seem to be intently watching how these negotiations unfold. Younger gamers comparable to Clark, Reese and Bueckers helped catalyze this second of large development for the WNBA, and there is a slew of stars behind them who will assist proceed that momentum. What is going to the brand new CBA and enjoying within the WNBA seem like for the following era of stars? How a lot of a wage bump will rookies see underneath the brand new settlement?
One other matter that have to be decided is whether or not the draft eligibility guidelines will change. Presently, faculty gamers can declare early for the draft in the event that they flip 22 in that calendar 12 months, whereas worldwide prospects need to be at the very least 20 years previous. If either side loosen these necessities, that might affect high abilities comparable to Watkins and Robust. — Philippou