WNBA, Players’ Union Facing March 10 Deadline To Avoid Season Delay - Report

Last Updated:February 24, 2026, 19:27 IST

WNBA and players’ union must reach a deal by March 10 to avoid delays for the 2026 season, as per an AP report.

The WNBA has told its players’ union that a deal must be in place by March 10 to ensure the 2026 season starts on time, according to AP.

The virtual collective bargaining session, held Monday due to a winter storm in New York, marked the first meeting involving both players and league officials since Feb. 2. More than 50 players joined the nearly two-hour call.

Clock Is Ticking

The regular season is scheduled to tip off on May 8. Any delay would mean lost revenue from ticket sales, sponsorships and television deals.

There’s also plenty of business to handle: an expansion draft for two new teams and decisions involving roughly 80% of the league’s free agents.

League officials said at least a handshake agreement is needed by March 10 to avoid disruption.

Revenue Sharing Gap

The two sides remain far apart on revenue sharing and housing benefits.

In its latest proposal, sent Friday, the league offered players 70% of net revenue. The union had previously asked for an average of 27.5% of gross revenue over the life of the deal, starting at 25% in year one, after initially seeking more than 30%.

The league has called the union’s gross-revenue model “unrealistic," warning it could result in “hundreds of millions of dollars of losses for our teams."

Still, there was a historic development Monday: the union confirmed that players will receive $8 million in revenue sharing from last season — the first time in league history the threshold was triggered under the expired 2020 CBA.

Players will decide how to distribute the funds within 60 days of notification, which came Feb. 9.

Housing Still in Play

Housing remains another sticking point.

The league’s latest offer would have teams continue covering housing for all players this season. After that, teams would pay housing for minimum-salary players, rookies and two designated developmental players per roster.

The union has pushed for broader housing protections in the early years of the deal.

(with AP inputs)

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