Throughout the 2025 WNBA season, players had two major complaints. Officiating was one, but the bigger issue was the slow progress in negotiating a new CBA. At the heart of the standoff is a clash of models. The WNBA has proposed a notable pay increase, while the WNBPA continues to push for a revenue share-based system. Now, to reinforce the league’s stance, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has stepped in, highlighting what he believes are the benefits of moving away from a revenue-sharing approach.

In his latest media availability before the NBA’s season opener, Adam Silver listed out the positive aspects of an overall increase in pay rather than a revenue share model that is being employed in the WNBA. When asked by the reporter, he said, “I think share isn’t the right way to look at it because there’s so much more revenue in the NBA. They [WNBA players] are gonna get a big increase in this cycle of collective bargaining, and they deserve it.”

At first glance, Adam Silver’s comments might sound unsupportive of WNBA players, but the numbers tell a different story. In 2024, the NBA generated $11.3 billion in revenue, while the WNBA, despite a record-breaking year, reportedly lost $40 million. In 2018, it was $10M. With such figures, a revenue-sharing model simply isn’t practical when there’s little profit to divide. Although the league’s $2.2 billion media rights deal and new expansion teams promise growth, it will take time for that to translate into steady revenue.

Given the current landscape, the smarter move is to focus on a steady pay increase rather than a revenue-share model. Makes more sense because the WNBA’s total salary cap stands at $19.5 million across 13 teams. Given the situation, a major bump is expected regardless of the structure. But see, players’ frustrations are understandable too, as NBA athletes earn 50% of profits compared to their 9%. But with the NBA’s much larger revenue base, Silver insists it’s simply not the right time for the WNBA to adopt that model.

Another factor that can severely affect the players’ share is the fact that the WNBA does not fully own the league. 42% of the league is owned by the NBA, 42% by the WNBA, and the remaining 16% is owned by private investors. This complicated ownership share can make things even more murky when the time comes to share the revenue. Regardless of the model both parties agree on, the decision needs to be made as soon as possible, or we could be in a situation of the league’s first-ever lockout.

What could happen if the WNBA and WNBPA do not sign a CBA before October 31?

With just 10 days remaining in the current CBA expiration, there is a good chance that there won’t be any positive news before the deadline. However, what could happen if we do indeed go past the deadline? Well, the first and most logical step would be to agree on an extension period (won’t be the first instance). Before the current CBA was finalized in 2020, there was a 60-day extension period agreement between the two parties. But if there is no agreement even after the extension, then we would be in uncharted territory.

Then we would be in the league’s first lockout. This can have a severe impact, as this offseason, we have not one but two new expansion teams joining in. As of now, there is no timetable for the expansion draft or any details about the salary cap and free agency period. This adds a new layer of complications to an already tense situation.

The 2026 WNBA season could also be delayed due to this. With the momentum the WNBA has built over the past two years, the worst thing that can happen to the league is a delay. In professional sports, things move at lightning pace. A delay might mean that the boom the WNBA sees itself in right now may not exist when they eventually do return.