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The WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) have reached an agreement on a temporary moratorium for all league business, effectively halting the start of the free agency period.
The decision comes after the two parties failed to reach a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) or an extension of the previous deal by last Friday’s deadline.
The moratorium is a move to prevent teams from issuing qualifying offers or “core” designations while a new salary system, expected to include massive compensation increases, is still being negotiated. With nearly every veteran in the league currently a free agent, the pause ensures that players are not forced to sign contracts under the expired, lower-value pay scales.
The negotiations have reached what sources describe as a “bitter impasse,” with both sides acknowledging the need for a transformational deal but remaining miles apart on the strategic why of the league’s financial structure.
At the heart of the dispute is the revenue-sharing model; the league has proposed a system where players receive 70% of net revenue, while the union is reportedly seeking approximately 30% of gross revenue.
Commenting on the announcement, The WNBPA, said: “Make no mistake. Pay equity is not optional and progress is long overdue.”
“The players remain undeterred, unafraid, and unwavering in their commitment to doing what is necessary to secure a transformational new CBA,” they said.
The league’s current proposal would see average salaries jump to over USD530,000 (AUD747,400) in the first year, a rise from the 2025 average of USD120,000 (AUD179,000), with a salary cap of USD5 million (AUD7.4 million).
However, the WNBPA’s counter-proposal in late November reportedly sought a USD12.5 million (AUD18.6 million) cap and a USD1 million (AUD1.4 million) average player salary, reflecting the unprecedented popularity and commercial growth the organisation has experienced over the past 24 months.
While the expiration of the old deal technically opens the door for a work stoppage, the league has indicated it is not currently considering a lockout.
For now, the status quo of working conditions remains in place as both parties continue to bargain over the future of a league that is rapidly becoming a global commercial powerhouse.
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