Less than 90 days remain until the WNBA's 2026 season tips off on May 8, and the heat is turning up fast. NBA commissioner Adam Silver just dropped a clear warning from his All-Star Weekend news conference that the negotiations for a new CBA need a serious push now.

A source told ESPN the WNBPA still hasn't fired back on the league's latest proposal from Feb. 6. To this Silver made it plain that he's not giving down a hard deadline to lock in that opening night. But he's calling for everyone to make up the urgency before things get messy.

As discussions drag on between the WNBA and players' union, Silver stressed stating he's staying out of the direct bargaining room but ready to jump in where it helps. 

He wants both sides feeling the squeeze to wrap this up. "What I would love to do is put pressure on everyone," Silver said at his annual news conference during NBA All-Star Weekend. "Often, things tend to get done at the 11th hour. We're getting awfully close to the 11th hour when it comes to bargaining."​

For the first time since December, there's real back and forth, even if it's slow. "I'm encouraged that there has been more back-and-forth over the past few weeks," Silver added. He pointed to the massive growth in women's hoops and doesn't want to stall that momentum now.​

League's Latest Proposal Details

The WNBA's Feb. 6 offer responded to the union's December pitch, which was tossing in wins on player housing and facilities demand they had proposed. But no big shift on revenue sharing took place. They're still offering players over 70% of net revenue (after expenses), with a 2026 salary cap jumping to $5.65 million from about $1.5 million this year. But the max salaries could hit $1.3 million in 2026. Following which there can be a climb off nearly $2 million by 2031. Leading to average pay might reach $540,000 next year and $780,000 by 2031. Which is way up from $120,000 in 2025.

But amid all these pllayers aren't buying it fully since they want a $10.5 million cap and 30% of gross revenue (before expenses). League sources say that model spells $700 million in losses over the deal. Which is quite threatening to the whole operation. 

No word yet from the WNBPA on replying, even as their exec committee got strike power back in December. Treasurer Brianna Turner said last week a walkout "is not imminent at this point. It's still early February... we're still in a waiting game." Silver's alarm fits the title perfectly during this crucial time as the clock's ticking loud with May looming, and he's lighting a fire under it all.

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Written by

Ishika Ghosh

Edited by

Joyita Das