The current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) caps top WNBA players’ pay at about $250,000|@LVAces|X
As fans celebrate the Las Vegas Aces’ recent Game 1 win in the WNBA Finals, the league faces a major labor dispute that could upend next season.
The WNBA and its leadership must finalize a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) by October 31, or risk a lockout. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert warned that any delay could hurt the league’s momentum but expressed hope that an agreement would be reached on time.
Players are demanding higher pay, better benefits, and a fairer revenue-sharing model, pointing to record growth in league ratings and revenue.
In 2024, the WNBA generated $144 million, a 177% increase since 2019.
Stellar players like Aja Wilson and Caitlin Clark have drawn huge crowds to games, with viewership reaching its highest level in nearly 25 years.
The current CBA, signed in 2020, caps top players’ pay at about $250,000. Just as a comparison, men’s NBA rookie Cooper Flagg earns $13.8 million, compared to WNBA rookie Paige Bueckers’ $78,000.
Meanwhile, alternative ventures such as Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier and three-time WNBA champion Breanna Stewart’s ‘Unrivaled’ league are gaining traction. It recently reached a $340 million valuation, offering higher salaries and domestic opportunities.