Nneka Ogwumike is drawing a clear line in the sand over pay, arguing the league's latest offer is just 'a decimal' of what players deserve.

Ten-time WNBA All-Star and former MVP, the WNBA Players’ Association (WNBPA)President, Ogwumike, is no stranger to using her platform to advocate for the players who have helped take the league to unmatched popularity in recent years.

Speaking to TIME Magazine, she said, "When you look at how much is being made, that is basically a decimal".

The current WNBA max salary for the 2025 season was $250,000. The league’s latest counteroffer proposed a max salary of $1 million, with additional revenue sharing pushing potential earnings to nearly $2 million in later years. Yet, Ogwumike argues this still falls short.

"A fair share is all we're looking for. And it's more than a million."

While the WNBA’s proposals do suggest an increase in player earnings through a new revenue-sharing model, Ogwumike is of the firm opinion that the pay should be reflective of the league's commercial success. As in the NBA, players pocket 50% of the revenue.

“Players understand their worth, they understand their value. That’s what we want. It’s what we deserve”, the Seattle Storm vet stated. The WNBPA has asked for a 30% share of the league’s gross revenue, along with a salary cap of $10.5 million.

The current conversation follows the 2020 CBA, which helped with higher salaries, travel benefits, and even maternity benefits. The revenue sharing currently in place allows players to earn bonuses, as and when the WNBA exceeds revenue targets. Far away from a fair revenue-sharing model!

The current CBA expired on January 9, 2026, and while both sides continue to negotiate under a "status quo", a work stoppage looms close.

Ogwumike is confident that the players' bargaining power, growing influence, and the league's rising popularity will lead to a favorable outcome.

"The energy, the experience from a player's perspective, it doesn't feel like anything but upward and forward," Ogwumike said. “There’s a level of leverage that comes with that in negotiating.”

Meanwhile, the WNBA has released the 2026 season schedule

On January 22, the league officially announced the season calendar for 2026. But as per ESPN, “The WNBA is set to begin its season on May 8, assuming the league and the players’ union can come to an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement.”

The union has been anything but subtle in pointing out that the unresolved issues could lead to a players' strike.

While Ogwumike has been an active voice in the negotiations, ensuring that the voices of players are heard, she is approaching the twilight of her career. Regardless, she has hinted at the possibility of becoming a team president, continuing her work off the court to help the league towards greater success.

As negotiations continue, the question remains: will the WNBA and its players find common ground before the 2026 season begins?

Written by

Fatema Kapasi

Edited by

Joyita Das