The WNBA and the players' union (WNBPA)are finally making some progress on the CBA deal after four consecutive days of double-digit-hour negotiations.

On March 13, Sports Business Journal posted an X update revealing WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert's latest comments about sorting out the CBA negotiations. She stressed that both parties need to come to an agreement by Monday to avoid any disruptions to the league's scheduled events during the remainder of the off-season.

Engelbert said, “I’ve never been a betting woman in my life, and I’m not going to start now, but we have to get a deal by Monday. I should say we have to get it done without disrupting some part of the fact that we’ve got to run this two-team expansion [draft]."

The WNBA commissioner also listed the other programs that are to be completed before the beginning of the WNBA's 2026 season. She said, "We have to get expansion going, we have to get free agency going. We got to get the college draft, which is now a month from today.” So, it's understandable why she wants to resolve the CBA fiasco by Monday, March 16.

The reporters then asked whether it is possible to get a deal done next Monday, to which Engelbert said, “Cathy Engelbert’s opinion, yes.”

WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson also looked positive about resolving the CBA negotiations. She stated, “Movement is still the word,” WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson said. “As long as movement keeps us going in a forward direction, then I think we’re good.”

The WNBA Draft is still set for April 13, while training camps are scheduled to begin on April 19. The WNBA's first two pre-season games will have the Indiana Fever take on the New York Liberty and the Seattle Storm go up against the Golden State Valkyries on April 25.

WNBA's Latest Offer Increases Salary Cap, Revenue Sharing Dispute Continues

The WNBA and the WNBPA have spent more than 40 hours in meetings since in-person negotiations began after March 10, following a suggestion from Caitlin Clark that received backing from WNBPA vice president Breanna Stewart.

Since Tuesday, both sides have exchanged 15 proposals, with the largest point of contention remaining revenue sharing.

The WNBA continues to offer a system based on net revenue, proposing a 70% share, which amounts to less than 15% of gross revenue. However, the players' union refuses to budge, insisting on 26% of gross revenue, as stated in multiple proposals.

Meanwhile, the league offered an increase in salary cap, going from $5.75 million to $6.2 million in the latest proposal.

Ancillary proposal items like player housing, wearable technology, and player benefits have been the focus over the last 24 hours of meetings.

“We both always understood each other. Now we have to continue to do the dance and see where that nets out.” Terri Jackson said regarding the revenue-sharing system.

It gets evident by the day that the key to reaching a deal lies in both parties agreeing on a certain percentage of net revenue that amounts to a similar value of the gross percentage that the WNBPA is asking for (26%).

But do you think Engelbert and Co. can work out any other way to settle the CBA dispute? What can it be?

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Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Souvik Roy