It’s a new era for the WNBA after the league and it’s players came to terms on a new CBA more than 17 months in the making.
According to multiple reports, the two sides agreed in principle on a collective bargaining agreement that will raise the W’s salary cap to $7 million to start (up from $1.5 million in 2025) and the average salary to $600,000 ($120K last year) with the league’s supermax starting at $1.4 million (previously around $250,000).
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ESPN also says that the average revenue share will be in the ballpark of 20% throughout the life of the deal — which had Chicago Sky star Angel Reese feeling good about 2026 on X.
Jul 9, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) brings the ball up court against the Dallas Wings during the second half of a WNBA game at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images© Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
(© Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images)
Angel Reese reacts to WNBA’s new CBA
Taking to social media for the first time since the news dropped, Reese had a message for all of her WNBA fans out there: “YEAR 3 LOADING….” the two-time All-Star posted.
It didn’t take long for fans to get hyped that the season would go on uninterrupted in her mentions.
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“Let’s cook,” a user said.
“Barbie hoops otw🥹” another replied.
“AND WE COMING FOR IT ALL BARBIE,” a fan commented.
“From junior year of college to year 3 of pro ball. It’s been great watching you grow kid. Let’s go,” another person shared.
“And it will be the best one yet 🩷” another user predicted.
WNBPA releases statements on tentative agreement
Wednesday’s news sets the stage for what will be the sixth CBA in the W’s history — with WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson and president Nneka Ogwumike releasing statements on the conclusion of the lengthy negotiations.
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“I think this can be summed up in two words: player empowerment … players coming to the table and standing on business and being reminded of the collective voice and of what it means to be in a union and the power of this union,” Jackson said. “They never forgot it, and they have taken it, like they always do, to the next level.”
“We’re just really grateful to be able to come to a deal,” Ogwumike added. “We’re proud of ourselves. And quite frankly, we always told you all we were going to stand on business, and that’s what this looks like.”
“For the first time player salaries are tied to a truly meaningful share of league revenue, driving exponential growth in the salary cap, increasing average compensation beyond half a million dollars and raising the standard across facilities, staffing and support.”
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The deal won’t become official until a formal term sheet is finalized and ratified by both the players and the league’s board of governors. Until then the focus will turn towards April 13’s WNBA Draft and the start of the regular season just 51 days from now.
This story was originally published by The Spun on Mar 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
