Money, Housing, And A Ticking Clock: WNBPA Counters, League Fires Back: 'Unrealistic'

Last Updated:February 18, 2026, 10:58 IST

WNBA and WNBPA clash over revenue share, salary cap, and housing as talks intensify.

The back-and-forth between the WNBA and the WNBA Players Association has taken another turn.

On Tuesday afternoon, the WNBPA submitted a new counterproposal, only to have it shot down yet again by the league, as negotiations intensify ahead of the new season.

According to ESPN’s Alexa Philippou, the union is now seeking an average of 27.5% of gross revenue over the life of the agreement, including 25% in the first year. It is also asking for a salary cap of less than $9.5 million.

That marks a shift from its late-2024 proposal, which sought an average 31% revenue share (starting at 28%) and a roughly $10.5 million cap.

Housing remains another key issue. The union proposed that teams continue to provide housing in the early years of the agreement. In later years, teams would not be required to do so if players are earning near-max salaries on multi-year, fully protected deals.

Housing, either a one-bedroom apartment or a stipend, has been guaranteed since 1999.

League calls proposal ‘unrealistic’

In reply, the league did not mince words.

“The players association’s latest proposal remains unrealistic and would cause hundreds of millions of dollars of losses for our teams," the WNBA said in a statement to ESPN. “We still need to complete two drafts and free agency before the start of training camp and are running out of time."

The league added it believes its own offer “would result in a huge win for current players and generations to come."

Money remains the central sticking point. The union has proposed an average salary of $800,000 per year; the league’s last known offer was closer to $530,000.

Talks have been ongoing since late June. With the regular season set for May — and expansion drafts for Toronto and Portland, free agency, and the April 13 amateur draft still to come — the clock is ticking.

(with agency inputs)

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