Chances of WNBA player strike multiplying

The possibility of a WNBA player strike has heightened in recent days, sources told SBJ, with collective bargaining talks now at a 16-month impasse and with union leadership believing the league has shown little urgency to compromise on the core issue of revenue sharing.

The union — which was authorized by a 98% player vote in December to strike if they saw fit — has begun accelerated discussions with players about work stoppage scenarios and other procedural matters, sources said, especially since players such as Breanna Stewart have been hoping for a resolution by early February. The final step, barring progress in negotiations, would be an executive committee decision to strike, once it factors in recommendations from WNBPA staff and counsel.

No firm strike decision or strike date has been solidified, sources maintained.

The players’ union on Thursday would not confirm any strike scenario, while WNBA officials declined comment. But sources said team executives leaguewide are anticipating a potential work stoppage and are bracing for perhaps a delay in the 2026 season, which is scheduled to begin May 8.

Although there has been intermittent verbal sparring for months, the CBA talks had remained active and largely civil until this latest development. But the turning point purportedly was the league’s continued non-response to a union proposal a month ago for a 30% player share of the revenue pie and a $10M-plus salary cap.

The league, according to sources, calculated it would lose $700M over the course of the six-year offer if it accepted the 30% split — and saw no need to answer. The WNBA officials, those sources said, remain convinced that they have acquiesced on core issues far more than the WNBPA, including what they called “massive” salary upgrades.

The latest league offer included more than a $1.3M maximum salary in 2026 (up from $249,244) and a $530,000 average salary this season (up from $102,249) that could grow to $780,000 over the life of the deal. The WNBA offer also included a 70% share of net revenue.

But the union, sources said, contended 70% of net revenue equaled 15% or less of gross revenue, which is why the offer was a non-starter.

The talks have been stalled ever since, although sources said the league believes it has repeatedly made concessions to union demands. For instance, sources said the WNBA has agreed to a union request to eliminate the league’s hard salary cap; agreed to a revenue sharing model in which salaries would grow as business grows; and to combine team and league revenue in the overall revenue share pie.

The question has since been who will blink first. Once the 2025 CBA expired on Jan. 9, without an extension, the league has had the ability to lock out the players, while the union has been free to strike. According to sources, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver — who oversees WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert — has preferred to avoid a hardline approach and lockout. In fact, the league took a business-as-usual approach by announcing its 2026 schedule last week.

Meanwhile, players are adamant about the 30% rev share number and appear hesitant to budge. They have been hoping for a deal by Feb. 1 — or at least significant movement — considering there is still an expansion draft to be conducted and over 100 free agents waiting to be signed. Just three weeks ago, the union created WNBPA Player Hubs across the U.S. and in Spain so that — in the event of a work stoppage — players could “train, recover, and protect their health regardless of league operations.”

Now frustrated by the league’s lack of urgency, sources said the union is more emergently exploring its next move.