A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces goes to the basket against the Phoenix Mercury during Game 4 of the 2025 WNBA Finals at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Oct. 10, 2025.
Mike Lawrence | National Basketball Association | Getty Images
The WNBA and Players Association have reached a verbal agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement, the teams announced in a joint statement Wednesday morning.
“We have agreed on the key elements of a new collective bargaining agreement,” the statement said. “While we still need to finalize a formal term sheet, the progress made in these discussions represents a transformative step for our players and the league. It underscores our shared commitment to the continued growth of the game.”
At an event with JPMorgan Chase on Wednesday, three-time WNBA champion A’ja Wilson told CNBC that the verbal agreement marks a big day for the players and the league.
“I’m just excited to play and get what we got and what we deserved,” Wilson said.
The exact terms of the new deal have not been disclosed, but it is expected to include significant increases in areas ranging from player salaries to revenue sharing. Recent proposals included a player salary cap of more than $1 million and a salary cap of around $7 million.
“This is a defining moment for women’s basketball,” WNBPA Executive Committee Vice President Alisha Clark said in a statement. “We’re changing the economics of this game. Players will share in the business we’ve built. Paychecks that reflect our values. A system that grows with the league. These are real changes that will strengthen our players, improve our games, and make us a better product on the floor.”
The verbal agreement ends a long and often contentious battle that threatened the start of the WNBA season and comes as the league is experiencing record growth and popularity.
The deal is still subject to votes by the players and the WNBA Board of Governors, both of which are expected to occur in the coming weeks.
“We’re going to have a great 30th season in May,” Commissioner Cathy Engelbert told reporters after the negotiations.
The regular season begins on May 8th.
