WNBA CBA live update: Negotiations enter fourth day without a deal - USA Today

The WNBA and its players' union met again in New York on Thursday, continuing a third consecutive day of hours-long CBA negotiations after a March 10 deadline passed, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they're not authorized to speak publicly about ongoing negotiations.

The person confirmed a meeting between the two sides started roughly around 11 a.m. ET on Thursday and continued until at least 3 a.m. ET Friday morning at the Langham Hotel in New York. Talks between the league and WNBPA leadership are expected to continue on Friday as both sides enter well over 36 hours of negotiating time this week and a fourth straight day of marathon meetings.

The WNBA and its players' union exchanged multiple proposals this week. A source confirmed to USA TODAY that as of March 12, the WNBA's latest offer increased the Year 1 salary cap to $6.2 million, up from $1.5 million ― representing an increase of more than four times the 2025 cap. As with previous proposals, the cap would grow over the life of the deal. The latest proposed cap number offered by the WNBA is also up from a March 1 proposal, when the salary cap was $5.75 million.

The WNBA's latest offer also included a maximum base salary exceeding $1.3 million, with a projected revenue-sharing component. The league's maximum salary would grow to nearly $2 million over the life of the agreement. The average salary would be $570,000 in Year 1 (up from $530,000 in previous proposals), growing to $850,000 over the life of the deal.

According to a source familiar with the situation, the latest length of the deal is roughly six years, although that is being negotiated. There was no update on revenue sharing as talks continued on Thursday, March 12, in New York.

"We're proud of the deal we have on the table," Engelbert reportedly said to on-site media Thursday. "I think it's huge gains for the players, while balancing that with the health of the league. So we'll just continue to work really hard, and we've got to get a deal done."

"Being able to be in the room, being able to exchange proposals, we're feeling movement," Ogwumike reportedly said to the media. "We're sticking to the process."

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert eyeing Monday CBA deadline

Per an Associated Press report, Englebert stressed that there's "urgency" between the league and its players' union to get a new CBA agreement in place by Monday to avoid disruptions to the 2026 season

“I’ve never been a betting woman in my life, and I’m not going to start now. But we have to get a deal done by Monday,” Engelbert told on-site media in New York. “We have to get it done without disrupting some part of the fact that we’ve got to run this two-team expansion [draft]. We have to get expansion going. [We've] got to get free agency going. We gotta get the college draft.”

Engelbert's comments come amid what a source told USA TODAY was an 11-hour day of negotiations on Friday. CBA negotiations had already eclipsed well over 36 hours by Friday morning before both sides returned to meet for more talks.

WNBPA executive director gives update on CBA negotiations

WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson reportedly spoke to media members on site. According to an ESPN report, Jackson reportedly reiterated that "movement" was still a word to describe what's happening during the marathon meetings over the last four days.

"I think the league, and particularly the commissioner and her team, have heard that 'transformational' remains the goal." Jackson said.

She also reportedly shared that a salary system "tied to revenue in a meaningful way" remains a top priority. Additionally, Jackson addressed one of the biggest topics during negotiations, revenue share."The continued conversations have helped us chip away at what the concerns are for both sides and how we meet them, how we address them," Jackson said.

Napheesa Collier is on-site for WNBA CBA negotiations

Per an ESPN report, WNBPA vice president Napheesa Collier has arrived on-site in New York for ongoing CBA conversations. This is Collier's first reported appearance during marathon negotiations this week.

When is the WNBA CBA deadline?

The WNBA said a term sheet for a new CBA needed to be completed by March 10 to avoid delaying the start of the 2026 season. Opening day is scheduled for May 8.

As of March 12, 2026, there was still no term sheet for a new CBA.

What are the key issues between WNBA players and owners?

Revenue sharing and the salary cap remain the top sticking points. Here is where the two sides stand:

- Revenue sharing: The WNBPA requested 25% of gross revenue in the first year, increasing over the life of the agreement to an average of roughly 26%....