The new seven-year agreement, expected to run from 2026 through 2032, comes after more than a year of negotiations, narrowly avoiding a potential strike that threatened the upcoming season.

At the center of the deal is a dramatic increase in player compensation. The league’s salary cap will rise from approximately $1.5 million per team to $7 million in 2026, with further increases projected in later years. Average salaries are expected to reach roughly $600,000, while minimum salaries will jump from about $66,000 to over $300,000. Star players could earn “supermax” contracts starting at $1.4 million annually.

Perhaps most notably, the agreement introduces a revenue-sharing model, granting players around 20% of league revenue. This marks a major shift in how players benefit from the league’s recent surge in popularity, attendance, and media exposure.

Beyond salaries, the CBA also includes improvements to players’ quality of life. Teams will provide enhanced travel accommodations, including charter flights, and guaranteed housing benefits. Rosters will expand, and new developmental positions will be added to support league growth.

WNBA Superstar and reigning MVP A’ja Wilson became the first player to sign a new deal under this new agreement, signing the first-ever “supermax” contract, worth $1.4 million, with the Las Vegas Aces.

With the 2026 season set to begin on schedule, the new CBA positions the WNBA for sustained growth, signaling a future where players are more fairly compensated and more directly tied to the league’s success.