WNBA Players Reject Initial CBA Amid Historic Expansion

The WNBA is currently negotiating a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) amid unprecedented league growth and expansion, including three new franchises set to join by 2030, increasing the league to 18 teams. Despite record-breaking viewership, sponsorship, and an 11-year, $2.2 billion media rights deal, players have rejected the league's initial CBA proposal, describing it as a "slap in the face" and inadequate relative to the league’s rapid growth and their contributions. Player representatives, including Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally, have emphasized the need to focus on improving salaries, roster sizes, and working conditions for current players rather than prioritizing expansion. Approximately 80% of players are expected to become free agents after the 2025 season, seeking contracts that better reflect their value and the league’s increasing revenue. The league has not publicly commented on the negotiation details, but players have voiced their commitment to negotiating in good faith while demanding a deal that fairly shares the business’s success. Concerns remain that expanding rosters without addressing player compensation could dilute revenue and further frustrate players amid growing popularity and financial gains.