By Cheryl Coward
The Women’s National Basketball Players Association voted Thursday to authorize a strike, giving its Executive Committee the power to call a work stoppage if ongoing collective bargaining talks with the league fail to produce an agreement. The vote comes amid stalled negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) ahead of the WNBA’s 30th season.
“The players are united in seeking a fair deal that reflects their value and the growth of the league,” a WNBPA spokesperson said in a statement. “We remain hopeful that meaningful progress can be achieved before further action becomes necessary.”
For weeks, players had hinted that negotiations over the next collective bargaining agreement weren’t progressing fast enough. They’d asked for higher base salaries, stronger maternity protections, and increased transparency in the league’s proposed revenue-sharing model. However, after tense rounds of talks, players remain unconvinced that their priorities are being heard.
According to the WNBPA, 93% of players participated in the vote, with 98% voting in favor of authorizing a strike.
The league issued its own statement hours later on Thursday, pushing back on the union’s portrayal of the negotiations.
“We are aware that the players have voted to authorize the WNBPA Executive Committee to call a strike if the Executive Committee decides to take that step in the future. While we acknowledge the players’ right to authorize a future work stoppage, we strongly disagree with the WNBPA’s characterization of the current state of negotiations, which fundamentally misrepresents the ongoing discussions taking place at the bargaining table. It is difficult to understand claims that the league is resistant to change, particularly given that we are proposing numerous CBA modifications including significant immediate salary increases and a new uncapped revenue-sharing model that would ensure continued salary growth tied to revenue growth.
“The league remains steadfast in its commitment to reaching an agreement as soon as possible and delivering a 30th season for the players, fans, teams, and partners. We have negotiated in good faith and with urgency, and remain focused on finalizing a new collective bargaining agreement that not only meaningfully enhances player pay, benefits, and experience, but also does so in a way that ensures the long-term growth of the game and the league’s capacity to serve the next generation of WNBA players.”
The current CBA was originally set to expire on Oct. 31 but has been extended twice, with the latest deadline set for Jan. 9, 2026. Training camps typically open in late April, with the regular season starting in May.
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