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  "path": "/wnba/2026/03/18/finally-a-deal-wnba-and-players-reach-cba-agreement",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-18T18:35:50.139Z",
  "site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
  "textContent": "<p>WNBA fans can breathe a sigh of relief. At long last, and at the last possible moment, the league and its players reached a verbal agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement.</p><p>More than 100 hours of negotiations over the past week between the players union and the league resulted in a handshake and a champagne toast. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert told reporters she expects the season to start on time.</p><p>Both sides called the deal historic. Exact details have not been confirmed, but early reports indicate the salary cap will rise to $7 million, up from $1.5 million in the previous CBA. Minimum salaries are expected to jump from below $70,000 to more than $300,000. Top salaries for megastars could reach $1.4 million, up from about $250,000.</p><p>And most importantly, those numbers will grow as the league’s revenue grows.</p><p>“For the first time, player salaries are tied to a truly meaningful share of league revenue,” union president Nneka Ogwumike said.</p><p>Revenue sharing was the most <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/wnba/2025/12/04/bloody-battle-to-define-revenue-share-in-the-wnba-continues\" >contentious point throughout the 17 months of negotiations</a>. In the previous CBA, players shared in league revenue only if certain targets were met; otherwise, the salary cap increased by about 3% each year. That meant that as the league’s popularity surged, player salaries lagged behind.</p><p>Now, reports indicate players will receive close to 20% of league revenue. That still trails the roughly 50% split in major men’s leagues, but it marks a significant step forward and ensures players benefit from the league’s growth.</p><p>After a term sheet is finalized, the deal still must be ratified by the WNBA Board of Governors.</p><p>There is little time to waste before the May 8 season opener. First comes an expansion draft for the two incoming teams, Portland and Toronto. Then a blockbuster free agency period, with more than 100 veterans available, followed by the college draft on April 13. Much of that activity is expected to unfold in early to mid-April.</p><p>Training camp begins April 19, and the <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports\" target=\"_blank\" >Sky</a> open May 9 against the Portland Fire.</p>",
  "title": "Finally, a deal: WNBA and players reach CBA agreement",
  "updatedAt": "2026-03-18T18:50:35.616Z"
}