After weeks of back-and-forth, the WNBA and its players are still nowhere near a deal. On Dec. 3, the league offered a revenue-sharing plan, per The Athletic, but progress has hit a roadblock. And according to Kelsey Plum, “It’s a little bit disheartening.” Both sides agree salaries should be tied to revenue, but they continue to clash over how to divide it.

The league’s latest proposal puts players at 29 percent of prior-season gross revenue in year one, adjusted for the new media rights deal, rising to 34 percent by the final year. Previously, the WNBA had offered a plan with less than 15 percent of total revenue going to players, which the union rejected.

That gap only grows when the full models are compared. According to The Athletic, the union has proposed that players receive roughly 30 to 33 percent of total league and team revenue. The league rejected that framework, preferring a system where only a portion of total revenue is shareable, with players receiving 50 percent of that slice.

The WNBA’s plan ties the salary cap to last season’s revenue. It subtracts player benefits like health insurance, housing, and local transportation. The plan also calls for mandatory league and team audits to ensure accuracy. The league has pushed back against this demand.

The WNBA's Stance

The WNBA said it has already shared detailed financial information. In a statement to USA TODAY Sports, the league denied claims of missing transparency, calling them “simply untrue.” Under its model, average salaries could reach $500,000, with max players projected to earn around $1.2 million in total compensation in year one.

Beyond revenue, several other issues remain unresolved. The union wants mandatory 12-player rosters, added developmental spots, and longer seasons as the league expands. It’s also pushing for new salary exceptions, including performance-based bonuses for rookies, keeping negotiations tense as the Jan. 9 CBA deadline approaches.

Written by

Ishika Ghosh

Edited by

Joyita Das