WNBA and Players Association Extend CBA Negotiations Until January 9

The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the WNBA Players Association (WNBPA) have agreed to extend their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) through January 9, 2025, as negotiations for a new deal continue. The extension allows either party to terminate the agreement with 48 hours notice, and it was finalized shortly before the previous deadline of Sunday, 11:59 p.m. ET.

This latest extension follows a previous agreement that had already moved the initial October 31 deadline by 30 days. The union had originally proposed a six-week extension after considering a shorter, 24-hour option, while the league had suggested a 21-day extension. In a statement released on Sunday night, the league confirmed, “The WNBA and WNBPA are continuing to work toward a new agreement.”

Discussions have reportedly been challenging, particularly regarding salary structures and revenue-sharing systems. According to a report from the Associated Press on November 18, the WNBA proposed significant salary increases, including a maximum salary exceeding $1.1 million and a minimum salary above $220,000. For context, the league’s minimum salary was $66,079 in 2025, while the supermax stood at $249,244.

Despite these proposals, the WNBPA has expressed dissatisfaction, arguing that the current salary cap does not adequately reflect the league’s growth and revenue potential. Players are advocating for a system that aligns more closely with that of the NBA, where the salary cap is directly influenced by basketball-related income (BRI). Currently, the WNBA’s salary cap is set at $1,507,100 for 2025 and grows at a fixed rate of 3% each year.

The league’s revenue-sharing provision, which could provide direct payments to players upon reaching certain revenue targets, has not been activated, largely due to the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the league’s proposal became public, the two sides have engaged in frequent discussions and exchanged updated proposals, including meetings on Sunday.

In addition to salary negotiations, players have outlined other priorities. These include establishing minimum professional standards for facilities, formalizing the league’s charter travel program, and enhancing retirement and maternity benefits. The WNBA has expressed its commitment to increasing player salaries and other financial commitments while encouraging owners to continue investing in the league’s operations.

As the WNBA has experienced rapid growth in recent years, both sides recognize the importance of reaching an agreement that reflects this expansion and sets the foundation for sustained profitability in the future.