As NBA Commissioner Adam Silver noted during All-Star Weekend, the WNBA collective bargaining agreement is swiftly approaching the 11th hour. The players association submitted its proposal, and the league has at last, responded.
Photo courtesy of Sara Jane Gamelli | Ballislife
It’s been 43 days since the most recent CBA deadline expired on Jan. 9. Since then, both sides have made their concessions. Most recently, the players association’s proposal was deemed “unrealistic” by a spokesperson. As reported previously, a source with knowledge told Ballislife that the WNBPA’s amended proposal would result in $460 million in projected losses. Sources tell Ballislife on Saturday that the WNBA has countered.
The question remains: What’s included in the league’s proposal, and what about other central issues such as housing?
A point of contention under negotiations has been the issue of player lodging. Under the expired CBA, players received a monthly housing stipend or were given the option to stay in housing provided by the team. Covering the duration of the regular season and playoffs, the stipend varied in their respective cities.
Can confirm from a source that the WNBA has submitted a CBA counter proposal.
The league is proposing housing for all players in the first year of the deal.
More to come from @Ballislife.
— Sara Jane Gamelli (@SaraJGamelli) February 21, 2026
It made sense at the time, and the Los Angeles Sparks allocated the second most funds per month at $2,353. Given the cost of rent, especially in Los Angeles, only five players earned a salary north of $100,000—Emma Cannon, Rae Burrell, Azurà Stevens, Kelsey Plum, and Dearica Hamby. Located in Brooklyn, the New York Liberty allocated a league-high $2,647 for CBA housing funds in 2025.
Several other players—including Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson––earned $78,066 (rookie deals). Six players in total made under $80,000, so it’s easy to see why housing fund allocation was an area of concern.
Housing Improvements Included
A source with knowledge confirmed to Ballislife that the league not only proposed an unnumbered salary cap tied to both league and team revenue growth, but is presenting a significant increase in salaries. A source additionally confirmed that the new WNBA proposal would include housing for players in the first year of their deal (potentially 2026).
The WNBPA and WNBA appear slightly out of reach regarding this topic, but WNBA’s latest counter is encouraging. According to ESPN’s Alexa Philippou, the players union was seeking player housing for “the first several years,” meaning players who receive a multi-year contract and a maximum salary would eventually be liable for their own housing down the road. Given that rookie scale, hardship, and training camp contracts pay minimally, not every deal is guaranteed. In this case, a housing budget would make sense.
According to Zillow, the average rent in the United States is $1,995. However, a majority of WNBA teams are located in big-market cities, with New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington DC among the most expensive to live. In 2025, the average housing stipend across 12 teams was $1,769 according to the CBA.
With those statistics, the WNBA’s increased salaries could make up for housing stipends considering the league is proposing a maximum salary of $1.3 million, which is five times higher than the current super max of $249,244 last season. Additionally, a proposed average salary of $535,000 would mark a substantial increase from 2025.
Mentioned previously, the income boost would apply to rookies, such as Aliyah Boston, who was drafted first overall in 2023 by the Indiana Fever. Her salary, for example, would climb to $541,000, which includes performance bonuses.
What the WNBA Stands Firm On
While it’s unclear whether the latest housing proposal moves the needle, we know one thing: salary and revenue share remain at the center of negotiations. The WNBA is proposing increased 401(k) contributions, exclusive locker rooms, private weight rooms, treatment areas, family rooms, among several other boosts.
Both sides have made concessions, and the WNBPA recently lowered its offer with a reduced salary cap from over $10 million to $9.5 million. According to Annie Costabile of Front Office Sports, the WNBA has not moved from its $5.65 million salary cap offer. While the players are seeking a 25% share of revenue, the league isn’t budging from more than 15%.
Time is ticking, as preseason and schedules have been rolled out for the tentative 2026 season. 76 days remain until the start of the season, and training camp is set to begin on Apr. 19. With increasing urgency to ink a deal among both sides, two expansion drafts (Toronto, Portland), draft night, and free agency are yet to be seen.
Will the players union accept the recent offer? What will it take for both sides to come to an agreement? Be sure to follow Ballislife for more CBA updates.
Sara Jane Gamelli is the Managing Editor and Senior Staff Writer at Ballislife.com, as well as Director of Ballislife Bets. Follow her on X at @SaraJGamelli.
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