WNBA's Offseason Overhaul: Expansion Draft, Historic Free Agency and a Transformational CBA

After eight days of marathon negotiations, the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association ratified a new collective bargaining agreement. Both parties called the deal “transformational,” saying it will shape women’s basketball for generations. The agreement follows the expiration of the previous CBA in October and coincides with the league’s 30th season and the addition of two expansion franchises, the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire. Commissioner Cathy Englebert told reporters that the CBA delay will not affect the May 8 opening date. She confirmed training camps will start April 19 and preseason action will begin April 25.

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Key dates run from April 1-5, when teams lock in five protected players, to the expansion draft on April 6. Free-agency activity follows April 7-12, with qualifying offers on the 7-8, negotiations beginning April 9, and signings permitted on April 12. The college draft occurs April 13 in New York City. Training camps open April 19, preseason games start April 25, and the regular season launches May 8.

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The new CBA lifts the salary cap to $7 million (up from $1.5 million) and raises the super-max to $1.4 million (previously $249,244). Average salaries are projected at $600,000, with the minimum exceeding $300,000. Teams must carry 12 players, plus two development slots that do not count against the cap. More than 100 players will be free agents, including former MVPs A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, and veterans Allisha Gray and Kahleah Copper. In the expansion draft, each existing club may protect five players; the two new teams will each select 12 unprotected players, with a coin flip determining order and the subsequent 6th- and 7th-overall picks in the college draft.

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Some front-office executives and agents warn the compressed April 1-13 schedule could limit player movement, prompting short-term deals and potentially pushing the free-agency frenzy into the next offseason. Others argue the expanded salary pool will still generate robust transaction activity.

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Higher salaries may reduce reliance on offseason leagues such as Athletes Unlimited and Unrivaled, though players and officials still view those leagues as complementary to the WNBA’s growth.

Lexie Hull Thinks Offseason Leagues Could Eventually Merge

• “It is great to have other options in Athletes Unlimited and Unrivaled to give players the opportunity to play in the offseason,” — Lexie Hull, Indiana Fever guard

Lexie Hull Thinks Offseason Leagues Could Eventually Merge

• “I think down the line, I would envision some of those leagues merging together and giving players the opportunity to actually have a full offseason.” — Lexie Hull, Indiana Fever guard

Lexie Hull Thinks Offseason Leagues Could Eventually Merge

• “We get a chance to rest our body and recover … I think in the foreseeable future, they’ll definitely still be around and bringing in a lot more eyes for the offseason people that want to watch.” — Lexie Hull, Indiana Fever guard

Lexie Hull Thinks Offseason Leagues Could Eventually Merge

• “We believe that there is a place for us to be partners in a meaningful and impactful way,” — Donna Orender, Upshot League commissioner

Lexie Hull Thinks Offseason Leagues Could Eventually Merge

The Dallas Wings are expected to pick UConn guard Azzi Fudd with the No. 1 draft slot. The CBA also permits the regular season to expand to 50 games by 2028 and 52 games from 2029 onward, setting the stage for longer seasons in the coming decade.

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