When the WNBA and its players sat down to figure out a new CBA, the demands were clear: a structure that would reflect the league’s current growth. A structure that would reflect the league’s current growth. But nobody expected the talks to drag on for so long that the 2026 season getting delayed seems like a huge possibility. However, with the season all set to start from May 8th and the fans getting restless as each day passes by, the Nneka Ogwumike-led WNBPA has finally submitted a counterproposal to the WNBA on Tuesday.

Responding to the league’s recent offer and attempting to narrow the widening financial gap, the players’ union has made concessions.

According to ESPN, the players have slightly lowered their revenue-sharing demand. They’re now asking for an average of 27.5% of gross revenue over the life of the deal, down from their earlier request of 31%.

Furthermore, for Year 1, the union is proposing 25% of gross revenue with a salary cap below $9.5 million. That’s also a step back from December’s proposal, which sought 28% in the first year and a cap of around $10.5 million.

Besides revenue sharing, housing remains another major area of concern. The union is reportedly open to scaling back team-provided housing obligations in later years of the deal, particularly for players on high-value, multi-year contracts with full salary protection.

News served to you like never before!

Prefer us on Google, To get latest news on feed

Prefer Us on Google

But still, it may not be enough.

The league has continued to propose a revenue-sharing model based on net revenue, while the players remain firm on gross revenue. The WNBA’s most recent offer included projections of a $5.65 million salary cap in 2026, rising alongside league growth, with maximum salaries potentially reaching $1.3 million in Year 1 and climbing toward $2 million by 2031.

So while there has been no formal word yet from the league, both sides continue to argue over gross versus net revenue. And the fans are growing impatient.

Different Perspectives on the CBA Begin to Emerge

Shortly after news of the counterproposal broke, social media lit up, and not all of it was supportive. Some fans argued that even the reduced percentage remains unrealistic.

One fan wrote, “WNBPA is still being delusional. I guess I am not seeing CC this summer.” While another added, “Close it down already, these ladies are too greedy to be reasoned with.”

The WNBA and the players’ union have been in CBA talks for over a year now, but they are still nowhere near meeting eye-to-eye. But the talks have now reached a point where, if a deal is not reached soon, several key league operations could be affected, including:

• An expansion draft for the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire
• Free agency, where more than 100 players in the league will look to hit the market
• A collegiate draft could be pushed off schedule, which would force the league to delay its season

Moreover, another fan wrote, “Bit off more than they could chew.” Whereas one fan suggested they find a common ground and wrote, “Meet in the middle. Start at 20% and work to 25% during the course of the CBA. That seems like a win.”

Right now, revenue sharing remains the focal point of their discussion; the players want a part of the gross revenue, while the WNBA is only offering a cut from the net revenue. According to the league, if they accept the players’ terms, it would lead to roughly $700 million in losses over the life of the deal.

As the talks continue, one fan summed up what everyone is feeling and added, “I hope they sign a deal this week 🙏.”

With the calendar plans hanging in the balance and the majority of the league’s players as free agents waiting on clarity, all eyes are on the WNBA now to see how they respond to the players’ union CBA proposal.