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WNBA, Players Sign Term Sheet for 7-Year CBA With $7 Million Cap and Revenue Sharing

The deal establishes the first comprehensive revenue-sharing model in women’s professional sports, setting a new pay framework that ties compensation to league growth.

Overview

  • Both sides signed the term sheet Friday for a 2026–2032 agreement, which now goes to the players and the WNBA Board of Governors for approval.
  • The 2026 team salary cap rises to $7 million, with a $1.4 million maximum salary, an expected $583,000 average, and minimums roughly $270,000–$300,000.
  • The agreement introduces revenue sharing for the first time in the WNBA, with players expected to receive about a 20% share on average over the life of the deal.
  • Rookie contracts are re-priced and an expedited pathway allows players on rookie deals who earn MVP or All‑WNBA honors to reach max or supermax salaries in year four.
  • Quality-of-life provisions add codified charter travel, team-provided housing in the initial years, enhanced facilities and benefits, mandatory 12-player rosters plus two developmental spots, and a longer regular season reaching up to 52 games by 2029; the 2026 season opener is expected to proceed on May 8.