Women’s National Basketball Players Association president Nneka Ogwumike announced on ESPN’s “First Take” on Monday that WNBA players have voted to ratify a new collective bargaining agreement with the league.
The players’ union said in a release that more than 90% of players participated in the ratification vote and the result was a unanimous yes.
The terms of the CBA are also subject to approval by the WNBA Board of Governors. Sources told ESPN’s Alexa Filippo that voting is set to close in the coming days.
“This moment is the culmination of years of work and a shared belief that as the league moves forward, so must the players,” the WNBPA said in a statement. “Often, women are told to be grateful for opportunity. This association sees it differently. It’s about knowing our worth and having the courage to ask for more, not just for ourselves, but for those who come.”
The WNBA and WNBPA announced Friday that they have agreed to a term sheet for a new CBA. Under the league’s new revenue-sharing model – a first in the women’s game – the salary cap for the 2026 season will be $7 million and will change annually based on league and team revenue growth; It is expected to be worth more than $10 million by the end of the deal.
Other major changes in the CBA include an increase in the maximum and minimum salaries, an expanded regular season starting in 2027, and continued housing assistance to players.
In a news release Friday, the WNBA called the seven-year agreement “one of the most transformative labor agreements ever in major professional sports.” The agreement paved the way for the 2026 regular season to begin as scheduled on May 8.
