By: Betty Cantley
New York – As of March 20, 2026, the WNBA has officially entered its most chaotic and transformative era. After months of tension, the league and the Players Association (WNBPA) reached a verbal agreement on a new 7-year CBA in the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 18.
This deal effectively saves the 2026 season, which will now tip-off as scheduled on May 8. Here is the latest on the agreement and the “whirlwind” schedule to follow
The new CBA is being hailed as a “quantum
leap” for the playercompensation. For ths first time salaries are tied directly to gross league revenue (averaging roughly 20% across the deal).
According to the press release, the leagues top players will gain the ability to sign the first million dollar contract in WNBA history.
Maximum – contract players will earn a salary of $1.4 million in 2026 that is expected to grow to more than $2.4 million by 2032, based on current financial projections. The leagues average salary is expected to be
$538,000 in 2026 and increase to millions by 2032. Minimum salaries will range from $270,000 to $300,000 in 2026 (based on years of service) and will range from $300,000 to $380,00 by 2032.
The WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert as the Collective Bargaining Agreement represents a defining moment in the WNBA’s 30-year history and all of women’s professional sports.
There will be a “super-speed” off season schedule. Because the negotiations took so long, the league is compressing a typical six-month off-season into just six weeks.
By March 31st the lawyers will be finalizing the formal term sheet. Players will hold informational sessions to review the details before a final ratification.
April 1 – April 6: Expansion Drafts, the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire will finally select this inaugural rosters from the pool of unprotected Players.
April 7 – April 18: Free Agency Frenzy
April 7 and 8th: Teams send out qualifying offers and designation.
April 9th through the 11th: The negotiations period begins.
April 12th: The official signing period opens.
(Note: since 80% of the league are free agents, this will be the biggest moment in Sports History).
April 13th: WNBA Draft
April 19th: Training camps begins and May 8th regular season begin.
The league has officially committed full-season charter travel for all teams, ending the era of commercial flights.
Another takeaway is the teams cannot trade pregnant players, unless the player request it.
Expansion Ready: The deal specifically includes provisions for the 14-team league, ensuring the Toronto and Portland franchises have the cap space to be competitive immediately.
Future Stars under the new structure, like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are projected to be eligible for supermax extensions are worth over $1.7 million as early as 2028.