Marathon negotiations over the WNBA's future are reaching a breaking point. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert is pushing for a 'historic' deal, but with key deadlines looming, the pressure is mounting from all sides.

"We're working as hard as we can to get it done as quickly as possible. It's complex. There's a lot, a lot of system elements. There's a lot of structural elements," Cathy Engelbert said via ESPN.

"This is a big, big league and we want to do everything we can for the players. So, we're going to keep making progress," she added as the in-person negotiations have now entered Day 7, after the previous session on Sunday afternoon stretched to 3 a.m. Monday.

The league and the players' union have accumulated more than 72 hours of in-person negotiations since the first session last Tuesday. The entire WNBPA executive committee has participated in these sessions, including Nneka Ogwumike, Breanna Stewart, Alysha Clark, Napheesa Collier, and Brianna Turner. Kelsey Plum and Elizabeth Williams joined via Zoom.

Cathy Engelbert said on Friday that both sides must seal a deal by Monday. While she expressed confidence that they can reach the finish line, she added that they may require another 24 to 48 hours extension.

“I wish I knew the answer to that," Engelbert said when asked if a delay to training camp is evident. "I do not know the answer to that. But you see us here, three in the morning, four in the morning, five in the morning. So that gives an indication that both sides are motivated.”

The good news is that the league has finally offered a net revenue share that exceeds the 15% gross revenue for the first time. However, the WNBPA remains fixated on securing a 26% share of gross revenue. The WNBA is also expected to cover players’ housing costs.

Training camp is scheduled for April 19, while the WNBA Draft is set for a week earlier. The league will then tip off its first two preseason games on April 25, headlined by Caitlin Clark and Indiana visiting New York, along with Seattle facing Golden State.

Fans React to Marathon In-Person Negotiation Sessions

“If the league is going to grow and get a new CBA done, she’s got to go.” One user blamed Cathy Engelbert and her side for the entire CBA standoff, accusing them of being overly rigid.

"Six days in and the headline is still no deal, but stay tuned," one user commented on their exhaustion towards the in-person negotiations. Meanwhile, another user commended both parties for their continued efforts to reach the finish line, "six days deep and still grinding respect to both sides for not backing down."

"Six days of marathon talks… sounds like they’re close but just stuck on the big numbers," One netizen said, possibly referring to revenue sharing and salary cap.

With the 2026 WNBA season set to open on May 8, negotiations reached the eleventh hour, as the time window for free agency and the draft keeps getting narrower. The next 48 hours will be crucial for the league.

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Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi