Full Breakdown
WNBA Revenue Sharing: A Historic Milestone Amid Ongoing CBA Negotiations
2/24/2026, 2:41:07 AM
Revenue Sharing Triggered for the First Time
In a significant development for the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), the league announced that it generated sufficient revenue in 2025 to initiate revenue sharing with players for the first time in its history. The Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) confirmed that the league's 13 teams will collectively receive $8 million to distribute among players who were active during the season. This milestone comes amid ongoing negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which have been contentious and protracted.
Financial Breakdown and Historical Context
The revenue sharing arrangement is rooted in the 2020 CBA, which stipulated that players would receive 50% of shared revenue, defined as revenue exceeding a predetermined threshold, minus 30% for expenses. In 2025, the players' share of the shared revenue amounted to approximately $16 million, with $8 million allocated for player distribution and the remaining $8 million earmarked for league marketing initiatives. The WNBPA also announced an additional $9.25 million in payments from licensing revenue generated since 2020, which includes earnings from jersey sales and video games.
Ongoing CBA Negotiations and Key Issues
Despite this financial progress, the WNBPA and the league remain at an impasse regarding the new CBA. The WNBPA is advocating for a share of gross revenue, proposing an average of 27.5% over the agreement's duration, while the league is offering 70% of net revenue, which is calculated after operational expenses. The league's latest proposal also includes a salary cap of $5.65 million for the 2026 season, significantly lower than the WNBPA's request for a $9.5 million cap.
WNBPA vice president Breanna Stewart emphasized the urgency of reaching an agreement, stating, "Time is of the essence." The league's counterproposal, which included provisions for guaranteed housing for players, has not addressed the core issues of revenue sharing and salary cap, leading to frustration among players.
Criticism and Opposition
Critics of the league's stance argue that the refusal to engage meaningfully on revenue sharing undermines the progress made in women's basketball. WNBPA executive director Terri Jackson expressed concern over the league's approach, stating, "It is unfathomable that anyone would question our commitment to negotiations." The players' union has authorized a strike if negotiations do not yield satisfactory results, indicating the seriousness of the situation.
Conflicting Reports and Future Implications
As the deadline for a new CBA approaches, the stakes are high. The 2026 WNBA season is set to begin on May 8, with training camps starting on April 19. However, without a finalized agreement, critical events such as the expansion draft for the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, as well as the largest free agency period in league history, remain in limbo. The league's financial structure, including its ownership model and revenue distribution, adds complexity to the negotiations, with many stakeholders seeking clarity on how funds are allocated.
Verbatim Quotes
- "This shows our value and how what we're fighting for makes sense and how we should keep fighting." — Brianna Turner, WNBPA Treasurer
- "I think that both sides are very aware that this has gone on way longer than it needed to." — Breanna Stewart, WNBPA Vice President
- "What we have proposed is very realistic." — Terri Jackson, WNBPA Executive Director
As negotiations continue, the outcome will have lasting implications for the players, the league, and the future of women's professional basketball.
