The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has sent a new proposal to the players’ union as part of ongoing collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations. One of the main points of the proposal is that teams would continue paying for player housing during the upcoming season.
According to reports, the league submitted this counterproposal a few days after the players’ union presented its own offer. The discussions are still ongoing, and the details may change as talks continue.
Housing Support Plans Under the CBA Proposal
Teams would pay for all players’ housing for the rest of the 2023 season. After this time, the main recipients of Housing Support will be minimum-salaried players, first-year rookies, and developmental players. Each team will have up to 2 developmental players with their housing subsidized also.
The players’ association had previously requested that housing support remain for players in the early years of the new agreement. Starting in the last two years of the C.B.A., teams will no longer be required to provide housing for their maximum salary players.
Revenue Sharing Remains a Major Discussion Point
One key point in negotiations is the way revenue will be allocated between the league and players (i.e., the distribution of revenue sharing).
Initially, the players had requested approximately 27% of gross revenue during the length of the contract in the form of revenue sharing.
In the first year of the agreement, the players requested approximately 25% of the total revenues for that year. Previously, the players have made requests for revenue sharing of more than 30% of total revenues.
The league responded that sharing excess % of the gross revenue would put teams in jeopardy financially through substantial losses.
Instead, the WNBA has proposed that players could receive more than 70% of net revenues. Net revenues include costs for operating the arena, medical facility use, travel, and basic security.
Possible Impact on Upcoming WNBA Season Schedule
If the new CBA is not agreed upon soon, it could affect the start of the 2026 WNBA season.
The league has already faced delays in organising the expansion draft for cities like Toronto and Portland. Free agency processes have also been pushed back.
The regular season is scheduled to begin on May 8. Any delay could mean lost television revenue, sponsorship income, and lower fan engagement.
Huge Player Movement Expected
This negotiation period is considered very important because a large number of players may change teams.
Reports suggest that nearly 80% of players in the league could become free agents during the offseason. This could lead to the biggest player movement in league history.
The players’ union has been pushing for better financial security, improved travel conditions, and stronger overall benefits.
Overall, the WNBA league stated that its proposal is designed to benefit both current players and future generations of athletes.
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