WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert expressed confidence that a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) can be reached with the players before the league’s October 31 deadline. During a meeting between the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA), Engelbert characterized the talks as “constructive” and said she believed the league and players would agree to a new CBA that is “transformational for the players, teams, owners and the future of our league.”
However, not all players were optimistic about the meeting. New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart called it a “wasted opportunity,” while Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier said she hopes the league will return quickly to continue dialogue. Seattle Storm star Nneka Ogwumike, WNBPA president, expressed that they were hoping for more concessions from the league.
The WNBA and WNBPA have scheduled another meeting soon, although no specific date or location has been announced. The current CBA, which began in January 2020, sparked significant changes in the league, including groundbreaking maternity benefits and a notable jump in maximum player salaries. However, much has changed around the WNBA since then.
Recent announcements include the addition of three new expansion teams and a record-breaking TV deal. Engelbert attributed these successes to the growth of national TV viewership, attendance, and merchandise sales, which have all increased significantly over the past few seasons.
Engelbert also discussed potential changes to the league’s scheduling format, including extending games into early November. The WNBA is considering expanding its future scheduling footprint as well. Additionally, the league may revisit the format of the WNBA All-Star Game festivities and address concerns about officiating consistency.
Overall, Engelbert’s comments suggest that the WNBA is committed to finding a fair and transformative CBA for all parties involved.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6504249/2025/07/19/wnba-cba-commissioner-confident-player-concerns