WNBA, players complete long-form CBA

The WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association said Friday that they had completed and signed the final long-form version of the league’s new collective bargaining agreement, closing the legal drafting process that followed their March deal. The document formalizes a seven-year pact that the sides had already ratified in late March. The league and union said the agreement runs through 2032 and includes an opt-out after the 2031 season. The Washington Post, which first reported the completion of the long-form document, described the pact as “transformative.” ### Why was there another step after the March agreement? March 20 was the date the WNBA and WNBPA announced a tentative deal on a new CBA, pending ratification by players and the league’s Board of Governors. That announcement came with a term sheet — the economic and policy outline of the agreement — rather than the final legal document. (wnba.com) March 23 was the date WNBA players unanimously approved the agreement, with more than 90% participating in the vote, according to the Associated Press. March 24 was the date the Board of Governors ratified it, clearing the way for lawyers on both sides to convert the term sheet into the full contract language signed this week. (wnba.com) ### What did the league and union say Friday? The WNBA said Friday that the “final long form version” of the new agreement had been completed and signed. The statement did not add new implementation dates beyond what had already been announced in March. USA Today reported that the signing marked the finish line of a 17-month negotiation process. (opb.org) Yahoo Sports said the completed document “formally cemented” a deal that had already been in effect in practical terms since the March ratifications. ### What are the biggest economic terms in the deal? (wnba.com) The WNBA said on March 20 that the 2026 salary cap would rise to $7.0 million from $1.5 million in 2025. The league also said year-one maximum salaries would rise to $1.4 million, average salaries would exceed $583,000, and minimum salaries would range as high as $300,000 depending on years of service. (usatoday.com) The same announcement said the new revenue-sharing system was expected to deliver more than $1 billion in player salaries and benefits over the life of the agreement. The deal also included what the league called landmark investments in player experience, retirement benefits and veteran recognition payments. ### How different is this from the previous system? (wnba.com) The new agreement will produce the first million-dollar player salaries in WNBA history, according to multiple reports summarizing the March terms and Friday’s final signing. Associated coverage said salaries increased nearly fivefold from the prior contract structure. (wnba.com) The WNBA and WNBPA also said in March that the pact created a comprehensive revenue-sharing model. The league described that model as the first of its kind in women’s professional sports. ### What comes next for players and teams? The agreement now governs league economics through the 2032 season unless either side exercises the opt-out after 2031. (nbcsports.com) The WNBA and WNBPA have published official materials summarizing the CBA and its provisions for players. The next practical milestone is the 2026 season operating under the new pay structure, including the $7 million team salary cap and the revised salary bands announced on March 20. (wnba.com) Neither Friday’s league release nor the Washington Post report listed additional rollout dates beyond the completed signing. (wnba.com)