WNBPA reportedly softens financial stance with reduced salary cap, revenue share in latest talks

The Women’s National Basketball Players’ Association (WNBPA) has softened its financial demands in its most recent collective bargaining proposal to the WNBA, according to reports from multiple outlets on Tuesday. According to Reuters, the revised counteroffer follows a proposal the league submitted earlier this month. Under the union’s new position, players would receive an average of 27.5% of the league’s gross revenue, starting at 25% in the first year of a potential new agreement. The proposed salary cap for the opening season would be under $9.5 million, based on details cited in the reports.

The next WNBA season is set to begin on May 8 with a three-game opening slate, highlighted by expansion side Toronto Tempo hosting the Washington Mystics. Another new franchise, the Portland Fire, will make its debut on May 9 at home against the Chicago Sky.

This marks a notable shift from the union’s earlier stance. In its previous proposal, the players’ association was pushing for an average revenue share of 31%, beginning at 28% in year one. That earlier plan also called for a higher first-year salary cap of $10.5 million. The adjusted proposal signals a move toward compromise as negotiations continue, with both sides working to narrow gaps on revenue sharing and player compensation ahead of a new collective bargaining agreement.


"The Players Association's latest proposal remains unrealistic and would cause hundreds of millions of dollars of losses for our teams. We still need to complete two Drafts (a two-team expansion draft and college draft) and free agency before the start of training camp and are running out of time. We believe the WNBA's proposal would result in a huge win for current players and generations to come," A WNBA spokesperson was quoted as saying to ESPN regarding the new union position.

According to Reuters, the WNBA’s most recent proposal includes a $5.65 million salary cap, but major differences remain between the two sides. One of the biggest points of contention is the league’s push to base player compensation on net revenue instead of gross revenue.

According to reports, the league is offering players an average share of more than 70% of net revenue. However, ESPN noted, as quoted by Reuters, that once translated into gross terms, that percentage would amount to less than 15% of total league revenue, highlighting the gap between how the two sides view revenue sharing.