As the Oct. 31 deadline arrives for the WNBA’s current CBA, the WNBA and WNBPA have agreed to a 30-day extension, as first reported by Ben Pickman of The Athletic.Β
On Tuesday, Pickman reported the league and players’ union are “extremely unlikely” to reach a new agreement. A few hours later, ESPN‘s Alexa Philippou reported the WNBA offered a 30-day extension to the WNBPA to continue finalizing a new deal.
Throughout the week, the X handles representing the players’ unions of the NFL and MLS posted on social media, standing in solidarity with the WNBPA and its fight for a CBA that reflects the players’ role in the growth of the WNBA.
The NFLPA stands in solidarity with @TheWNBPA and its fight for a collective bargaining agreement that reflects the playersβ undeniable impact on the leagueβs growth. Itβs time for fair compensation, proper working conditions, and a future that puts players first. pic.twitter.com/ogoCiJjQNG
β NFLPA (@NFLPA) October 29, 2025
New Nov. 30 Deadline Set after Extension AgreementΒ
The extension provides both the WNBA and the players’ union more time to reach a deal in ongoing talks for a new CBA before the new deadline on Nov. 30.
The WNBPA issued a statement on Friday after agreeing to the WNBA’s proposed 30-day extension, saying the players could stop it with a notice in two days.Β
βThe WNBPA Executive Committee agreed to the leagueβs proposed 30-day extension of the current CBA, with the condition that the players may terminate the extension at any time with 48 hoursβ notice,” the WNBPA said.
βWhile we believed negotiations would be further along, the players are more focused, united, and determined than ever to reach an agreement that reflects their value and undeniable impact on the league.β
In October 2024, the players’ union decided to opt out of their current agreement, which was due to expire after the 2027 season, citing a desire to claim a “share of the business we’ve built.”
Above the announcements, the WNBPA outlined priorities, including minimum standards for game and practice facilities, improved retirement benefits, and family planning and maternity leave benefits.
“This is a defining moment, not just for the WNBA, but for all of us who believe in progress,” WNBPA President and Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike said in a statement Oct. 2024. “The world has evolved since 2020, and we cannot afford to stand still. If we stay in the current agreement, we fall behind.
“Opting out isn’t just about bigger paychecks — it’s about claiming our rightful share of the business we’ve built, improving working conditions, and securing a future where the success we create benefits today’s players and the generations to come.”
More Investment Among Franchises
With expansion and current teams investing in new, improved practice facilities, cities like Phoenix, Las Vegas, and New York will be top destinations for future free agents for years to come.
The expansion teams are also establishing new standards for league attendance and innovation.
For example, general manager Vanja Δernivec and head coach Alex Sarama discussed the goal for the Portland Fire to have “one of the leading analytics programs in the WNBA” during Sarama’s introductory presser on Tuesday.
The team also hired former WNBA player Ashley Battle as Vice President of Basketball Operations, Strategy, and Innovation on Oct. 14. One of her responsibilities will be implementing innovative strategies in player performance and analytics for the expansion team.
During the WNBA All-Star weekend in Indianapolis, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert mentioned how the previous CBA negotiations went throughout the 2019 season. When asked by a reporter how the meeting in Indianapolis went and whether she would agree with its characterizations, despite not having an in-person meeting scheduled, Engelbert was direct. Β Β
“Again, I want to call it constructive,” Engelbert said on July 19. “We had candid dialogue. This is part of the process. When I first joined the league, actually six years ago on Thursday (July 17), I was four days in the job and we had our first collective bargaining meeting at All-Star. I actually think we’ve had a bunch of meetings already.
“I appreciated how many players came to the meeting. I thought that was great. Communication is important. Having that meeting, being at the table, was important with that scale of players. I would just say we’ve been through these negotiations many times. This is only my second one, but my team has been through many of them.”
More Topics of Discussion Being Brought Up During WNBA’s Recent Success, More Work To Do
As the WNBA has gained more attention throughout the 2020s, more topics of discussion have been brought up, such as pay equity, players’ safety, and treatment.
One of the occurrences that took place in 2022 was when the New York Liberty received a $500,000 fine from the WNBA for chartering flights to games on the road during the second half of the season.
According to a report by Howard Megdal of Sports Illustrated, the league’s general counsel mentioned several severe punishments for the team, including losing all draft picks and suspending ownership, even ‘grounds for termination for the franchise.’
After Brittney Griner‘s detention in Russia in 2022 to her experience with harassment at Dallas airport while traveling commercially in 2023, the league eventually implemented charter flights for increased security for the players.
Now, players have more options to stay and play in the United States year round. Unrivaled, entering its second season in January, and Athletes Unlimited allow WNBA players the ability to earn more money without having to travel overseas during the W off-season.
Throughout the 2025 WNBA season, players and coaches voiced concerns about the league’s schedule and travel demands while also managing player absences due to injuries. All 13 WNBA teams have 11 or 12 roster spots, and expansion of the roster sizes could be a possibility.
Many notable stars, including Breanna Stewart, Angel Reese, and Caitlin Clark, missed games due to injuries during a 44-game regular season. One of the teams, the Indiana Fever, faced five season-ending injuries, including to Clark, and signed five players to emergency contracts. The Fever still reached the semifinals in the playoffs, losing to eventual champ Las Vegas Aces in five games.
After the Minnesota Lynx were eliminated in the semifinals by the Phoenix Mercury, Napheesa Collier called out Engelbert with three-minute statement during exit interviews in September.
Her thoughts and feelings about pay equity and player health went viral, but it remains to be seen how effective Collier’s statement ultimately will be as the WNBA reaches an important crossroad.Β
The WNBA’s Future is BrightΒ
Over the past two seasons, the WNBA has been setting records in viewership, attendance, and merchandise sales. Team valuations are also at all-time highs and growing. Mark Davis purchased the Las Vegas Aces for $2 million in 2021. Today, it’s estimated the franchise is worth over $300 million.Β
When it comes to its media rights deal, the WNBA has an 11-year agreement worth $2.2 billion in place that begins at the start of the 2026 season.
With the arrivals of Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers, and rising stars in college basketball such as Azzi Fudd, JuJu Watkins, and Sarah Strong, the league is trending in the right direction for growth and eventually that will lead to a stronger financial structure. When that exact day comes is one of the main sticking points of negotiations. It is clear the WNBA players will see a substantial increase in salaries going forward, but what is defined as equitable by both parties is the crux of the issue. Β
