Many deadlines related to WNBA collective bargaining agreement have come and gone as negotiations between the league and players' union have stretched across months, but none are more important than Tuesday.
The league said Tuesday, March 10, is the date a term sheet for a new CBA must be completed in order to avoid a delay in the start of the 2026 season, which is scheduled to tip off May 8. There's been movement from both sides as the deadline approached as the WNBA and WNBPA swapped counterproposals over the weekend. But, as of Tuesday morning, there is no deal.
Will there be a 2026 season? Will the players go on strike? What's next for the WNBA? Here's everything you need to know as the latest CBA deadline has passed without a new deal:
The WNBA submitted a counterproposal to the players' union on March 1 in response to the WNBPA's Feb. 27 submission. WNBPA executive committee member Kelsey Plum said the league's offer marked a "significant win" amid negotiations.
In a private letter obtained by ESPN on March 3, Plum and fellow executive committee member Breanna Stewart raised "serious concerns" about the union's handling of CBA negotiations, citing a lack of player involvement. Stewart said the executive committee met after the letter leaked, which led to "a little bit of a tougher call Tuesday night" that ultimately got "the (executive committee) back on track."
