Unrivaled Semi-Finals Rocked By ‘Pay The Players’ Chants Amid WNBA Salary Debate

The WNBA’s current proposal includes a Year 1 salary cap of $5.75 million, a significant increase from the $1.5 million cap in 2025. League projections suggest that number could rise to approximately $8.5 million by 2031. 

Additionally, maximum salaries are expected to approach $1.3 million in 2026 and near $2 million by the end of the agreement, compared to the current supermax of $249,000.

Average salaries, including projected revenue sharing, would rise from roughly $120,000 in 2025 to about $540,000 in 2026, with projections of $780,000 by 2031. The proposed minimum salary would exceed $230,000 in Year 1, nearly matching what was once the league’s maximum base salary.

That said, the major dispute still very much remains revenue sharing. The players’ union has pushed for approximately 26% of gross revenue. The league’s offer reportedly exceeds 70% of net revenue, which equates to less than 15% of gross revenue under current projections. 

WNBA Players Stand Firm On Their Terms For CBA

With March 10 looming as the league’s latest deadline, WNBA players made it clear this week that they remain committed to securing meaningful changes in the next collective bargaining agreement, even as opinions diverge on whether a strike is the right path.

The WNBA and the WNBPA have been negotiating for more than a year after the union opted out of the previous deal in October 2024. Multiple extensions followed, including a six-week stalemate earlier this year. 

In recent weeks, however, proposals have moved back and forth more quickly.

Speaking ahead of the Unrivaled League‘s semifinals in Brooklyn, WNBPA first vice president Kelsey Plum emphasized that players want to avoid a work stoppage but are not backing down from their priorities.

“I want to play and players want to play,” Plum said. “We’re going to continue to negotiate and do everything we can to get this done in a timely fashion. But obviously a strike would be the worst thing for both sides because we are in a revenue share, so no revenue, no revenue to share.”

Players authorized a strike in December with near-unanimous support, but alignment has softened since then. WNBPA vice president Breanna Stewart acknowledged that reality while reiterating that no agreement is ready for ratification.

“While we still are fighting for a lot of different things, we have to realize that the rev share is a win,” Stewart said, adding that further negotiation is necessary before any deal goes to a vote.

With everything said and a little done, players are apparently not ready to back off.