With less than a month to finalize a new CBA, the 2026 season is at risk of being delayed, and time is running out for the WNBA and the WNBPA. The situation is already tense after the expansion draft for two new teams was pushed back. Another delay could disrupt a season set to begin in April, something players like Caitlin Clark want to avoid, but things do not look easy as of now.

According to Ben Pickman from The Athletic, “The Women’s National Basketball Players Association recently proposed that players receive roughly 30 percent of total league and team revenue,” he wrote. That is double what the WNBA is offering.

To further understand how out of sync both parties are, both sides want a different model as well. Even CC seems tired of all that is happening behind the doors. Patience is running thin, and the exchange of words might just take an ugly shape if not dealt with properly.

“That’s what our fans crave — the product on the floor,” Clark said at the Team USA camp. “That’s what the fans want to show up for. So, it’s business, and it’s a negotiation, and there has to be a compromise on both sides. And we’re starting to get down to the wire of it.”

But as the negotiations drag on, there are new demands from the WNBPA coming to light.

WNBPA proposes that the players get a 29% share in year 1 of the CBA. That number will go up by 1% each year, with the players earning 34% by the final year of the proposed CBA. In contrast, the WNBA mentioned that the number will go down from 15% each year. Additionally, the WNBPA has put forward a detailed method for the salary cap.

“In the union’s proposal, the salary cap would be determined by taking the players’ share of the previous season’s total revenue, subtracting the cost of various player benefits, and dividing that number by the number of teams,” Pickman further revealed.

The players also demand more transparency from the league and want compulsory league and team audits. For a league that specifies sustainability among its goals, transparency should have been the norm. Even the players did not know the actual numbers as of June 24!

“I feel like we’re going based off educated estimations. We still have a lack of transparency that doesn’t allow us to really know,” WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike told Forbes. “There is nothing that we know when it comes to how much money the league is making.”

The league could have internally released the numbers to the players. However, that is still doubtful, judging from how far both proposals are. Beyond just the financials, the WNBPA is also proposing a start to the roster expansion.

WNBPA proposing a soft start to WNBA roster expansion

The injury crisis across the WNBA was among the worst we have seen. More than 200 injuries meant that sometimes teams struggled to put together fit players for a game. Coaches and players have already called for an expansion beyond the 12 players. With the salary cap likely going up in the next CBA, the players also want a start to the roster expansion.

According to Ben Pickman, “the WNBPA has proposed mandating teams carry 12 players at all times.” Most franchises currently carry the minimum 11 players because of the salary cap, but the maximum is 12. In addition, the players want a 2 developmental players to remain with each squad instead of waiting on the emergency signings.

“The WNBPA is also proposing that teams be allowed to sign up to two additional developmental players, who would receive a stipend and could appear in up to 10 games per season at a prorated minimum league salary, before signing a rest-of-season contract. Developmental players would also receive full benefits.” Pickman further wrote.

In comparison, the NBA has 15 roster spots with 3 slots dedicated to players with two-way contracts. The WNBA doesn’t have a developmental league like the G-League. The main concern before increasing roster spots in each team is the talent pool. The draft scenario indicates that the level of talent from college basketball is only rising. 20 rookies on 2025 rosters before tip-off was the league’s highest in years.

Only 13 draftees were cut in 2024, while the number was 15 in 2023 and 17 in 2022. Players like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers are some of the most popular and best players in the league. The talent is clearly present and is only going to improve. If the WNBA doesn’t give them a place, competitors like Project B are just waiting to pounce. The Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire enter the league in 2026, increasing the number of spots from 156 to 180.

However, that doesn’t solve the problem for teams that have multiple injured players. The injuries could grow even further with the number of games rising next season. The current solution proposed seems to be the only decent way to provide some relief. Does it make sense financially? Increased salaries, profit sharing, salary caps, and extended benefits are priorities for the WNBPA. It remains to be seen where the roster expansion falls in their list.