The latest WNBA player negotiations deadline has passed. Where does that leave us?
USA Today reported that Engelbert expressed hope that, if the involved items could be agreed upon and incorporated into a CBA by Monday or within 24 to 48 hours thereafter, the 2026 season might commence as scheduled. However, the day’s negotiations concluded without reaching an agreement, making the total negotiation duration nearly 90 hours since March 10. Revenue sharing and the salary cap remain the top sticking points.
When WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert was asked for a new deadline late Friday evening by reporters in New York, she said, “I’m not going to give anybody deadlines because, as I’ve been saying all along, you know, we wanted progress, we wanted bargaining in good faith, we wanted all of that.”
USA Today noted that, “The WNBA has never experienced a lockout in its 30-year history, although the 2003 WNBA draft and preseason were postponed before a new CBA was reached.” With the 2026 WNBA draft scheduled for Monday, April 13, the pressure continues to mount.
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