The 2025 WNBA All-Star Recreation in Indianapolis is not remembered for any on-court performances however as a substitute for a collective demonstration. Throughout warmups, every All-Star donned black T-shirts that learn “Pay Us What You Owe Us.” The slogan referenced the continued collective bargaining negotiations between the Girls’s Nationwide Basketball Gamers Affiliation and the WNBA that the gamers then believed hadn’t yielded a lot progress.
It needed to be a unanimous determination to put on the T-shirts. All 22 All-Stars have been on board.
Solidarity has been a core precept amongst WNBA gamers nicely earlier than these CBA talks. Nonetheless, like several labor negotiation, they face totally different realities. Some are millionaires because of their off-court endorsements. Others rely totally on their on-court salaries from the WNBA — which in 2025 ranged from $66,079 (the minimal) to $249,244 (the supermax) — or different leagues. Some are on rookie offers, others are nearing retirement. There are mother and father, worldwide gamers and soon-to-be WNBA draftees ready within the wings.
And, in a newer growth for this spherical of negotiations, some gamers have fairness in, and even co-founded, different skilled leagues.
Because the WNBPA and WNBA pursue what either side have mentioned shall be a “transformational” CBA, what’s at stake for these numerous units of pursuits, and the way would possibly these variations manifest in negotiations? Forward of the brand new CBA deadline of Nov. 30, ESPN takes a have a look at the various views among the many gamers and the WNBPA, and the way they could be impacted when a brand new settlement is ratified.
Later this week, we are going to discover the administration aspect of the bargaining desk.
Negotiator: Terri Jackson, WNBPA government director
Jackson turned government director in 2016 and is concerned in her second CBA negotiations. She led the best way in securing the 2020 settlement that had main steps ahead for the gamers: important wage will increase, modifications that led to extra strong free company motion and enhancements for moms and people on parental depart.
Jackson and WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert — who took over in July 2019 — labored nicely collectively for the 2020 CBA. Their relationship appears to have cooled since then; Jackson criticized remarks Engelbert made in 2024 about on-line vitriol from fan bases.
This 12 months, the union has engaged in additional aggressive criticism of the WNBA/NBA about labor negotiations, attempting to sway public opinion with actions corresponding to carrying the “Pay Us What You Owe Us” shirts on the All-Star Recreation. With a lot at stake in a modified monetary panorama for the league, this might be a legacy-making CBA for Jackson. So it is necessary for her to maintain gamers unified, together with reassuring rank-and-file union members that their pursuits are being protected in addition to the WNBA stars’ pursuits are. — Michael Voepel
Superstars with giant off-court incomes
Key examples: Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever; A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces; Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty; Angel Reese, Chicago Sky; Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings
Clark, for instance, has high-profile endorsement offers with firms corresponding to Nike, State Farm and Gatorade that present her far more earnings than her WNBA wage. She is a part of a bunch of gamers — each veterans and people nonetheless on rookie contracts — who may climate a possible work stoppage with out monetary hardship. That mentioned, a key a part of incomes endorsements is visibility, which the WNBA supplies.
Clark has two years left on the rookie contract she signed because the No. 1 choose in 2024. As soon as she turns into a free agent, she may afford financially to do what Wilson has performed: take a decrease wage to make sure taking part in with a powerful group of teammates that matches below the wage cap. Nonetheless, we do not know if the brand new CBA will end in fewer cases of gamers being keen or feeling the necessity to do this. — Voepel
Position gamers
Key examples: Kiah Stokes, Las Vegas Aces; Natisha Hiedeman, Minnesota Lynx; Lindsay Allen, Connecticut Solar
There is a vary of views and experiences even inside this class. Some, although not all, are making good cash abroad, in Unequalled (the place there shall be 48 roster spots in 2026, up from 36 within the inaugural season) or with Athletes Limitless (40 spots). Some, although not all, have fairly sizable sources of off-court earnings. Those who haven’t got both, although, are extra reliant than their friends on their WNBA jobs and on the league succeeding — and a piece stoppage would seemingly influence them most.
A four- or five-fold improve in WNBA wage would have a big influence on this group. Extra roster spots — through growth or a rise in roster sizes — would additionally present them extra alternatives to go to groups the place they’ll earn more money or just discover one of the best match. — Alexa Philippou
Gamers on rookie contracts
Key examples: Kiki Iriafen, Washington Mystics; Aaliyah Edwards, Connecticut Solar; Maddy Siegrist, Dallas Wings
Not all younger WNBA gamers are as lucky as Clark to complement their earnings off the courtroom. For them, the diploma to which the league will increase the minimal wage might be essential. When the minimal went up 36% in 2020 at first of the present CBA, rookie contracts have been revised upward so no participant would make lower than the minimal.
Given the chance of a a lot greater bounce this time round — league sources have speculated the minimal wage may quadruple — latest draft picks stand to money in regardless of being below contract. On the similar time, with lengthy careers hopefully in entrance of them, the WNBA’s younger gamers will not need to lock in a deal that limits their incomes the wrong way up the highway.
For future stars, this CBA won’t solely decide the following few seasons but additionally set the stage for subsequent agreements. — Kevin Pelton
Gamers on the verge of retirement
Key examples: DeWanna Bonner, Phoenix Mercury; Alysha Clark, Washington Mystics; Sami Whitcomb, Phoenix Mercury; Tina Charles, Connecticut Solar
Bonner, who turned 38 in August, was the second-oldest lively participant within the WNBA this previous season. Throughout the WNBA playoffs, she advised reporters she wasn’t certain whether or not she would return to play in 2026. Whether or not she does or not, a participant her age seemingly has a powerful curiosity within the WNBA beginning a pension plan that’s much like what NBA gamers have. The WNBA presently has a 401(okay); the NBA has that plus a pension plan, which started within the Sixties and is predicated on years of service and common wage. Present WNBA gamers need those that got here earlier than them — the league started in 1997 — to profit from a pension plan, too. — Voepel
Gamers on the roster bubble
Key examples: Kiana Williams, Phoenix Mercury; Haley Jones, Dallas Wings; Elizabeth Kitley, Golden State Valkyries
Enlargement is already a boon to former school stars corresponding to Kiana Williams — the Most Excellent Participant of the 2021 Remaining 4 as she and Jones led Stanford to the NCAA title — who’ve struggled to determine their skilled careers. There shall be not less than 24 new roster spots in 2026 with the Portland Hearth and Toronto Tempo coming into the league.
Roster growth may create much more alternatives. WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike advised ESPN in Might that she finds growing rosters to 13 or including an injured record “extremely affordable” choices.
Not solely are bigger rosters higher financially for fringe gamers, they’d get an actual alternative to develop inside the context of a selected staff’s system. That beats present hardship contracts that drive gamers corresponding to Williams to fly midway throughout the nation on the final minute to affix new groups and swimsuit up instantly. — Pelton
Worldwide gamers
Key examples: Gabby Williams, Seattle Storm; Emma Meesseman, New York Liberty; Satou Sabally, Phoenix Mercury
Prioritization is prime of thoughts for Gabby Williams and different worldwide stars. The rule requiring gamers to report for the beginning of coaching camp practically dominated out Williams for the 2023 season — she was eligible solely due to a concussion sustained in the course of the French finals — and saved her from becoming a member of the WNBA till after the 2024 Paris Olympics.
When Williams lastly loved a full season within the WNBA in 2025, she was chosen as an All-Star for the primary time. Now that she performs for Turkish energy Fenerbahce, reporting on time should not be a difficulty, but when the league pushes for exclusivity, that would create tougher decisions for worldwide gamers. The league may additionally search to forestall gamers from becoming a member of nationwide groups for competitions exterior the marquee Olympics and FIBA World Cup, a difficulty for continental championships that do not embody USA Basketball. — Pelton
WNBA government committee members with curiosity in different leagues
Key examples: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx; Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty; Nneka Ogwumike, Seattle Storm
Three of the seven gamers on the WNBPA government committee have stakes in different leagues. Collier and Stewart, who’re committee vice presidents, are co-founders of Unequalled, the 3-on-3 league that performed its inaugural season earlier this 12 months and presents a median six-figure wage to the WNBA’s prime expertise. Ogwumike, the WNBPA president, simply signed a contract with Challenge B, a 5-on-5 league that’s supposed to start out subsequent winter and could have a Components 1-like format by which groups tour round Europe and Asia.
All three gamers are adamant their respective leagues usually are not in competitors with the WNBA and that there is no such thing as a battle of curiosity with regards to their means to barter the brand new CBA. They are saying they want the WNBA to succeed simply as a lot as everybody else. Nonetheless, if Unequalled continues to succeed and if Challenge B can get off the bottom, this trio will not want the WNBA as a lot because the gamers who do not get invited to play in these leagues, which goal the WNBA’s prime gamers.
There’s additionally a query of what would occur if prioritization turns into a sticking level in negotiations. Would they be keen to stroll away from leagues that supply them such excessive incomes? — Kendra Andrews
Gamers with children
Key examples: Dearica Hamby, Los Angeles Sparks; Skylar Diggins, Seattle Storm
The present CBA noticed a few of the largest steps ahead for fogeys and pregnant gamers within the league. It ensured new mother and father would obtain all of their wage throughout parental depart — beforehand they have been assured solely half of it — and in addition gave them a childcare stipend, office lodging for nursing and not less than a two-bedroom condo for gamers with kids.
Household planning advantages are presently obtainable for less than gamers with eight or extra years within the WNBA. It is necessary for gamers to increase these protections and advantages.
Star gamers with much less off-court earnings
Key examples: Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever; Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix Mercury; Brionna Jones, Atlanta Dream; Natasha Howard, Indiana Fever
Mitchell was the highest-paid participant within the WNBA final 12 months ($249,244 annual earnings), however in contrast to different gamers who’re near the utmost wage, corresponding to A’ja Wilson, Mitchell would not have the off-court model and endorsement offers to provide her giant supplemental earnings. Due to this, she would not have the identical monetary flexibility as others making extra off the courtroom to take a decrease wage to permit extra gamers to affix her staff.
Mitchell and Thomas obtained the core designation, which permits gamers to signal a one-year qualifying provide on the WNBA’s highest potential wage however prevents them from signing with one other staff as a free agent. Over the last CBA negotiations, the utmost occasions a participant could be cored went down from three years to 2. Now there is a risk it may go down once more. If that is the case, Mitchell and Thomas could be ineligible for that tag, which might seemingly give them extra management over their future. — Andrews
Future WNBA gamers
Key examples: JuJu Watkins, USC Trojans, Flau’jae Johnson, LSU Tigers; Sarah Sturdy, UConn Huskies; Lauren Betts, UCLA Bruins
Present school gamers aren’t technically represented on the bargaining desk, however that does not imply they don’t seem to be intently watching how these negotiations unfold. Younger gamers corresponding to Clark, Reese and Bueckers helped catalyze this second of super progress for the WNBA, and there is a slew of stars behind them who will assist proceed that momentum. What’s going to the brand new CBA and taking part in within the WNBA seem like for the following technology of stars? How a lot of a wage bump will rookies see below the brand new settlement?
One other matter that should be decided is whether or not the draft eligibility guidelines will change. At present, school gamers can declare early for the draft in the event that they flip 22 in that calendar 12 months, whereas worldwide prospects need to be not less than 20 years outdated. If either side loosen these necessities, that might influence prime abilities corresponding to Watkins and Sturdy. — Philippou