With the 2026 collective bargaining agreement (CBA), WNBA players received a historic 367% raise. It comes with 20% of league revenue, league-provided housing, improved health and family benefits, and the contract is valid for seven years.
It took 17 months to get there. The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBPA) turned to Claudia Goldin, a Harvard economist who won a Nobel Prize for her work on women and wages. What he found: The average NBA player made about $10 million. Average WNBA player? About $127,000. that about 1/80 more like men.
WNBPA executive committee promised that this CBA would be different. Specifically, it reflects the tremendous value the players create — the ultimate value that brings the WNBA big money.
The players stood their ground: They started the negotiations, asking for a 40% share of the total revenue, saw the work of the league counters down to 15% less, and let deadline after deadline pass without blinking. At one time they were was ready to strike if necessary. The last round of negotiations lasted 8 consecutive nights. (see: midnight selfie.)
The takedown: The slow growth of women’s sports was never about the quality of the product – it was about who had the power to price it. Few of us can negotiate income share at work. At the same time, the labor market outside the court is also difficult. But anchoring high, ignoring fake deadlines, and knowing your boarding pass number before boarding? This works in the conference room as well. Hear how the players did it, in their own words:
They recognized their worth.
In 2025, WNBA games on ESPN averaged 1.3 million viewers — the most-watched regular season league on the network. The WNBA ruled 400% more merch, according to The Information. Business was flourishing. But the players did not see this increase in their wages. The most any player could earn — the supermax, reserved for the league’s best — was $249,244.
“The players are what make this brand and this league… The league doesn’t exist without the players… they have put in the blood, sweat and tears for the new money coming in."
– Minnesota Lynx lead and WNBPA First Vice President Nafisa Collier
They clearly understood what they wanted and why.
One of their top priorities? Maintaining the long-term profitability of the residential league. The league wanted to eliminate it because the salary increased. The fact is that according to the new agreement, the maximum salary is one million, and an average player will clear 500 thousand dollars. Another way of saying that is to pay your own rent.
During the negotiations, Brianna Turner asked about the LA Olympics – and what LA Sparks players would do, because apartments would be expensive and difficult. According to the SBJ, the league didn’t have an answer, but eventually made some concessions.
The final agreement would preserve league-provided housing for all players through 2028 and for players making $500,000 or less in 2029 and 2030.
“What about 2028?”
They demanded not just a check, but a cut.
They already had a salary. What they didn’t have was a meaningful part of the business – which is why they took 20% of the WNBA’s total revenue at the top. The league grows, they grow with it. This is the part that comes together.
“This agreement must include a salary system that includes a significant share of revenue that would not exist without the players’ labor, requires professional working conditions and protects the players who built this league and respects the next generation for success.”
– WNBPA statement in Januarythe purpose of the union.
“We’re only asking for a percentage of the revenue. You know, we want to make sure that we grow with the business that we’re building.”
– Los Angeles Sparks forward and WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike
“This agreement is a direct result of our players’ commitment to ownership – their value and their future – and the strength of the players’ union.”
– Los Angeles Sparks forward and WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike statement during negotiations.
“We get 20% of all the revenue. We’re partners. We’re collaborative… What’s good for the WNBA is good for the players and vice versa."
– New York Liberty forward and WNBPA Vice President Breanna Stewart.
They anchored high.
Union first He demanded 40 percent of the total income – every dollar the league later matches 26%. The WNBA went against 70% net income: that which is after subtracting its expenses. The bigger the percentage, the much smaller the pot.
The contract reached 20% of revenue – still higher than where the league started (13% remember). Achievement: Start high enough that you can land with integrity – and still land where you want to be.
“You know, I don’t even think we were going to start that high … And honestly, the first offer the league had players in less than 13 years … And so to come back six weeks later and where they are, it doesn’t show a sense of urgency on their part.”
– Los Angeles Sparks forward and WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike, about her frustration during the revenue sharing negotiations.
“I thought our team did an amazing job negotiating and never giving up until we got exactly what we wanted.”
– New York Liberty forward and WNBPA Vice President Breanna Stewart
They were willing to lose a check.
During the season, 98% of players who voted they agreed to support the strike if it came to that. They knew they were suffering – no games meant no pay. They voted for it anyway. Players knew the product was theirs and they were willing to bet on it.
“I think (the league and the owners) just feel like we’re just going to sign and we’re not. We’re just going to sit if that’s the case. Like, we deserve it.”
– an unknown playerabout how anxious she felt or didn’t feel about the negotiation at this point
“We know how important it is for the players to play and be on the pitch, but if we are not appreciated, we will not do anything that does not mean anything to us."
– New York Liberty forward and WNBPA Vice President Breanna Stewart
"Having a strike on the table is something we’re very aware of, but there are a lot of conversations that need to happen. You know, we don’t just want to say, “Hey, today is the day (we will strike). You know, I think … what we’re showing right now is an honest negotiation."
– Los Angeles Sparks forward and WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike
“We pulled out (of the 2020 CBA) because what we were giving the league and what we were getting back didn’t match. You could feel the growth everywhere, but it wasn’t showing up to the players the way it should have been. So we stuck with it as long as we could.”
– Dallas Wings and WNBPA Vice President Alisha Clarkspeaking in the lobby of a New York hotel at 3 o’clock in the morning after the end of the deal
Those who seemed more inclined to walk had savings or other sources of income.
The players were ready. Here’s what some of them had to say when asked by ESPN How lost wages affect them:
“I did a good job of saving money, just in case that scenario happened.”
“I’m not making a crazy amount of money for it to be a really big deal. Fortunately, I’ve been in it the last few years and I’ve been able to do more off the field. But I still want it. I’m fighting for another year in the league. I wanted to have a season where I could make more money and really feel comfortable in life and do more for my family.”
“I’ve been very fortunate that my family has taught me good financial advice, saving and investing… I’m fine, but I also know that not everyone is in my position.”
They did not let the other side rush them.
The negotiations were lost multiple term extensionsincluding one that means a late start to the season. And in the end, it took eight—like, order ice cream at 3 o’clock in the morning – the coming days to the final agreement.
“We have never considered this as a timeline that should be prioritized by us because we have always negotiated in good faith.”
– Los Angeles Sparks forward and WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike
“Do they really think they’re going to outperform an endurance athlete? We do.”
Bottom line: Even if you’re not an endurance athlete, there’s a lot to take from this playbook the next time you ask for a raise—preparation, knowing your worth, and ultimately, betting on yourself. The game continues.
