Just when everyone thought the league and the union were failing to restore any trust in the ongoing CBA situation, here’s the news we were all waiting for.

Even after 17 months of struggle and a series of marathon negotiations over the past week, things didn’t really look good. But the Front Office Sports reporter, Annie Costabile, has some much-awaited good news.

“The WNBA and WNBPA have reached a tentative verbal agreement for a new CBA, sources tell me”, Costabile wrote on X on March 18. “Term sheet will now go to the players and WNBA Board of Governors for a vote to ratify the new agreement.”

The players will vote on the finalised term sheet, followed by the WNBA Board of Governors. The details aren’t out yet. But Sportrac’s Michael Ginnitti thinks that the new CBA “will increase the average player compensation to over $500,000.”

Costabile also mentioned that the “supermax salary will be 7 figures”. A major shift from last season’s average of around $107,000, as per Sportrac. The new CBA will redefine professionalism in the league. However, the real excitement is something else.

Players and Attendees Made Their Feelings Clear

For more than a year, the talk of a “transformational” deal was the hot topic. The players asked for 26% of gross revenue over the lifetime of the agreement, while the league offered 70% of net revenue. It equated to less than 15% of gross revenue.

So, both parties reached a status quo. But finally, after 100-hours of negotiation, the free agency, expansion draft, and collegiate draft can run. And WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike highlighted the moment.

“I’m really excited about players coming into this league for the first time and not having a sense of lack,” she said. “And knowing that it will just continue to grow, because that’s what we’ve negotiated for ourselves, who are in this league, and for those who are going to follow us.” 

“This deal is going to be transformational,” Vice President Breanna Stewart confirmed. “You’ll see the details hopefully soon. But it’s going to build and help create a system where everybody is getting exactly what they deserve and more… I’m just excited that we can tell our fans that we’re going to be back.”

Moving forward, what do you think are the new changes coming up? Comment it down.

Written by

Deblina Roy

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi