The WNBA and the WNBA Players Association have agreed to extend the current collective bargaining agreement through Jan. 9 while negotiations for a new deal continue.
The league announced the extension on Sunday, following the conclusion of a previous 30-day extension. Under the terms, either party can end the extension with 48 hours’ notice. Talks are ongoing as both sides work toward a new agreement.
Key issues in the negotiations include pay structure and revenue sharing. Currently, WNBA players receive about 9% of league revenues, compared with 50% for NBA and NHL players and 48% for NFL players. Players are also advocating for professional facilities, essential resources for all teams, and protections related to retirement and pregnancy.
“The last CBA, negotiated in January 2020 after a 30-day extension, was groundbreaking,” WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike said in an October statement. “The players are more focused, united, and determined than ever to reach an agreement that reflects their value and undeniable impact on the league.”
Free agency and the expansion draft are unlikely to proceed until a new agreement is ratified. The 2026 WNBA Draft is scheduled for April 13, with the regular season set to begin in May.