WNBA and Players Association Meet for CBA Talks, No Progress Achieved

In a significant gathering held on July 18, 2025, in Indianapolis, over 40 players from the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) convened for an in-person meeting with representatives of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) to discuss ongoing negotiations concerning a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). This meeting marked the largest turnout of players in the history of CBA negotiations, highlighting the urgency and significance of the discussions.

Despite the high turnout and aspirations for productive dialogue, the meeting concluded without any resolutions, leaving both parties dissatisfied. The WNBPA issued a statement expressing disappointment with the WNBA's proposals, stating, "The WNBA's response to our proposals fails to address the priorities we've voiced from the day we opted out: a transformational CBA that delivers our rightful share of the business we built, improves working conditions, and ensures the success we create lifts both today's players and the generations that follow."

Earlier this week, WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike conveyed optimism regarding the potential of the face-to-face meeting to ease tensions between the players and league officials. However, the union's statement reiterated the stark contrast between the league's offer and the players' expectations. The union highlighted that the business surrounding the WNBA is thriving, citing increases in media rights, ratings, revenue, team valuations, attendance, and ticket sales. They emphasized that the current proposals inadequately compensate the players who have contributed to this growth, stating, "short-changing the working women who make this business possible stalls growth," and warned that pretending the existing system is sustainable is misguided.

The backdrop of this meeting is particularly significant as the WNBA is set to enter a new $2.2 billion media rights deal starting next season. Additionally, the league has plans to expand to 18 teams by the year 2030, with each of the three new teams required to pay a substantial $250 million expansion fee. Ogwumike has previously indicated that the allocation of these expansion fees in relation to revenue shares for players was a focal point for negotiation during this meeting.

The WNBPA opted out of the current CBA last fall, and if a new agreement is not reached by the end of October, some players have hinted at the possibility of a lockout. The union submitted a proposal in February, which the league responded to last month, but progress has since lagged. With the stakes high, the recent meeting was anticipated to be a pivotal moment in the negotiation process.

The union's statement concluded with a resolute stance: "It's not complicated. We are committed to the fight. We are committed to returning to the negotiating table. And we will not stop until we achieve the transformational CBA this moment demands." The outcome of these negotiations will not only impact the current players but also set the stage for future generations of women athletes in professional basketball.