WNBA and Players Union Face Grim Deadline as Work Stoppage Looms

The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and its players' union, the WNBPA, are facing a critical October 31 deadline that could determine the future of the league. With the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) set to expire, negotiations have grown increasingly tense, raising the specter of a work stoppage that could halt the league's unprecedented momentum. The WNBPA, led by its president Nneka Ogwumike, opted out of the 2020 CBA, which was originally set to run through 2027, to force early renegotiations. The players' primary goal is to secure a "transformational" new deal that provides them a more equitable share of the league's ballooning revenue, driven by soaring viewership, attendance, and a massive new media rights deal valued at approximately $2.2 billion over 11 years.

weareiowa.com reported, At the heart of the dispute are fundamental economic issues, including player salaries, benefits, and the revenue-sharing model. Currently, WNBA players receive a significantly smaller percentage of league revenue compared to their counterparts in the NBA, who get roughly 50%. The WNBA's model is based on a 50-50 split of "incremental" revenue, which only applies after the league meets specific, and reportedly difficult-to-achieve, growth targets. This structure has become a major point of contention, with players arguing it prevents them from fairly benefiting from the very growth they have generated. Public displays of frustration have become common, with players wearing "Pay Us What You Owe Us" shirts at the 2025 All-Star Game to signal their unified stance. The tension has been further inflamed by public criticism of WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert's leadership, with prominent players like Napheesa Collier accusing her of being dismissive of player concerns.

The stakes could not be higher. A work stoppage—either a player strike or a lockout by the owners—would be the first in the league's history and could have devastating consequences. It threatens to derail a period of extraordinary growth, fueled by a new generation of stars and culminating in new media deals that promise to elevate the league's national profile. Key issues beyond revenue sharing include improved travel accommodations, particularly the consistent use of charter flights, which has been a long-standing controversy. As the October 31 deadline approaches, both sides remain far apart on proposals, according to players. While an extension is possible, the deep divisions over economic fundamentals and a breakdown in trust between players and league leadership suggest a difficult path ahead to avoid a shutdown that could tarnish the WNBA's brightest moment.

• Background on the 2020 CBA: The current Collective Bargaining Agreement, signed in January 2020, was hailed as a landmark deal at the time. It introduced significant improvements, including a 53% increase in total cash compensation, the potential for top players to earn over $500,000, and enhanced benefits like maternity leave and child care stipends. It also established a 50-50 revenue-sharing model, but only on incremental revenue above league targets. However, the league's explosive growth since 2020, far exceeding expectations, has made the terms of that deal feel outdated to players who believe they are not being fairly compensated for their role in building the business.
• Key Stakeholders and Their Positions: The WNBPA, led by President Nneka Ogwumike and Vice President Napheesa Collier, is advocating for a "transformational" new contract. They demand a revenue-sharing model similar to the NBA's (around 50% of all league revenue), higher base salaries, and systemic improvements to working conditions. On the other side, the WNBA, under Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, and the team owners are focused on what they term "sustainability," balancing player demands with long-term financial viability as they continue to invest in expansion and marketing.
• Economic Implications of a Work Stoppage: A lockout or strike would be financially damaging for all parties. Players would lose salaries, with rookie-scale contracts in 2025 paying less than $80,000. The league and its owners would lose revenue from ticket sales, sponsorships, and their lucrative new media deals. More importantly, a stoppage could halt the WNBA's powerful momentum, alienating a rapidly growing fanbase and damaging relationships with broadcast partners like ESPN, Amazon, and NBC, who have invested billions in the league's future.
• The New Media Rights Deal: A central factor in the negotiations is the WNBA's new 11-year media rights package, set to begin in 2026. Negotiated by the NBA, the deal with Disney, NBC, and Amazon is worth an average of $200 million annually—a massive increase from the previous deal's estimated $60 million per year. Players argue this windfall is direct proof that the league can afford their demands and that they are entitled to a significant share of this new revenue.
• The Charter Flights Controversy: A persistent source of conflict has been player travel. Players have long advocated for charter flights for all games to aid recovery and ensure safety, contrasting their commercial travel with the private flights common in men's professional sports. The issue became a flashpoint when the New York Liberty were fined $500,000 for secretly using charter flights in violation of the CBA, which was intended to maintain competitive balance between teams with differing financial resources. While the league has since begun a charter program, its rollout has been criticized as inconsistent.
• Player Prioritization and Offseason Earnings: The 2020 CBA introduced a "prioritization" clause, requiring players with more than three years of service to report to their teams on time or be suspended for the season. This rule was designed to ensure WNBA stars don't skip seasons to play for more lucrative overseas clubs. However, players view it as a restriction on their earning potential, forcing them to choose between higher pay abroad and their WNBA careers. This issue is a key bargaining chip for the WNBPA in its push for higher domestic salaries.
• Tense Leadership and Player Relations: Negotiations have been marked by a visible breakdown in the relationship between players and league leadership. Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier publicly accused Commissioner Cathy Engelbert of dismissiveness, claiming Engelbert said players should be "on their knees thanking their lucky stars" for the new media deal. Engelbert stated she was "disheartened" by the characterization but did not deny the comments, further straining trust. This acrimony has led to reports that Engelbert will likely step down after a new CBA is finalized.
• Potential Next Steps and Timeline: The current CBA expires on October 31, 2025. If no agreement is reached, several outcomes are possible: the players could go on strike, the owners could initiate a lockout, or both sides could agree to extend the deadline and continue negotiating in good faith, as they did in 2019. However, a new CBA is needed before the league can hold an expansion draft for new teams in Portland and Toronto, adding another layer of pressure to find a resolution before the 2026 season.