The Path Forward After the CBA Agreement

The WNBA has successfully reached a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), marking a significant milestone in the history of women's sports labor. Following arduous negotiations and intense late-night discussions, the league and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association have secured a deal that promises players higher pay and a greater share of league revenue.

However, the resolution of these financial terms brings a new, immediate challenge: a drastically compressed calendar. While previous offseasons have seen tight turnarounds, the league is now facing an unprecedented amount of administrative and logistical work to be completed before the season tips off on May 8.


Legal Ratification

The first order of business involves translating the negotiated terms into a formal legal document. Attorneys from both the league and the players' union are tasked with drafting the agreement, which must be formally ratified by all parties before further progress can be made. While the initial timeline spanned three weeks, stakeholders are aiming to finalize this by April 1 to ensure the offseason momentum is maintained.


The Expansion Draft

A major focal point will be the upcoming expansion draft. With the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo set to begin their inaugural seasons, their rosters currently remain empty. The league is expected to conduct the draft around April 6, adhering to protocols similar to the addition of the Golden State Valkyries last season.

The process will function as follows:

  • Existing teams will submit lists of protected players (likely five per team).
  • Portland and Toronto will select players from the remaining pools until their rosters reach 12.
  • Similar to previous expansion drafts, the new franchises retain the right to pass on selecting players from specific rosters if options are limited.

Free Agency and the College Draft

Following the expansion draft, the league will shift its focus to free agency, which will overlap with the college transfer portal. This creates a complex landscape where teams must balance professional signings with potential college prospects. Union leadership has encouraged players to prioritize shorter-term contracts to take full advantage of the salary cap increases mandated by the new CBA in the 2026 season.

Key dates for the remainder of the offseason include:

«April 12 marks the window for teams to meet with potential signings, while the college draft is firmly set for April 13 to provide incoming rookies necessary time to prepare for training camp.»

Training Camp and Season Opener

Training camps are scheduled to commence on April 19. Although the timeframe is extremely tight, especially considering the expected roster turnover, this period remains critical for ensuring the health of the players and the overall quality of play. Preseason matchups are slated to begin on April 25.

The league remains committed to an on-time regular season start, which includes highly anticipated events such as the Las Vegas Aces' home opener and the highly awaited debut games for the new Toronto and Portland franchises. With the labor negotiations finally behind them, the WNBA is now moving at full speed to ensure the 2026 season is a success.