NEW YORK — The WNBA is on the cusp of a new era after players overwhelmingly approved a seven-year collective bargaining agreement, with over 90 percent of eligible members casting ballots over the weekend. The union announced the unanimous ratification Monday, setting the stage for a whirlwind offseason featuring expansion, free agency, and a compressed timeline before the regular season tips off May 8.
The deal, which takes effect this season and runs through 2032, marks a significant leap in player compensation and benefits. “This transformational CBA delivers consequential economic progress and expanded benefits that support players on and off the court,” the union said in a statement. “It builds a stronger foundation for today’s players, the next generation, and those who helped build the WNBA. It affirms the strength of our union and the power of our collective voice.”
Final approval now rests with the WNBA Board of Governors. Once ratified, the league will move quickly to an expansion draft for the two new franchises in Toronto and Portland. Rules for which players current teams can protect and how the draft will operate are still being finalized, with the draft expected to occur around the Final Four.
Following the expansion draft, free agency will open with an unprecedented volume of player movement: more than 80 percent of the league are free agents this year, as most players signed contracts set to expire in 2025. Only two veteran players not on rookie deals are currently signed for the upcoming season.
The college draft is scheduled for April 13 in New York, with training camps beginning April 19, leaving teams little time to prepare for the regular season. “Now it is time to get back to the game and the fans we love, competing at the highest level, and showing exactly what this league can be,” the union added.
