The National Women’s Basketball Players Association on Monday approved the terms of a new collective bargaining agreement, calling it “transformative” and “bigger than basketball.”
The new CBA begins this season and runs through 2032.
When WNBPA Chairman Nneka Ogwumike was asked to comment on the most important outcome of the deal, he had two words: “Bank account.”
“Being able to pretty much tie your value to your salary is everything we’ve fought for and been able to accomplish,” Ogwumike said in an interview with CNBC Sports.
The deal could increase a player’s average annual salary to $583,000 in 2026 and more than $1 million by 2032. Based on current WNBA financial projections, a player’s maximum annual salary could be $1.4 million in 2026 and increase to more than $2.4 million by 2032.
Ogwumike acknowledged that the salary increase could change players’ plans for how they spend their offseason.
The WNBA’s average salary in 2025 is $120,000, prompting many players to play overseas or in other leagues, such as the 3-on-3 league Unrivaled, to earn extra money.
“Now that you can negotiate a structure tied to the bottom line of the business, a salary structure, your priorities for where you want to play will be very different,” Ogwumike said.
Several WNBA players, including five-time WNBA All-Star Napheesa Collier, have expressed a loss of confidence in WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert in recent months, criticizing her empathy and communication with players. Ogwumike expressed optimism that the players will be able to work in tandem with Engelbert under the new CBA structure.
“I told her, Kathy, we’re standing here with you,” Ogwumike said. “We came to this deal, and going through the process of this deal, no matter how difficult or smooth it was, we were able to get here. It was incredible for us as players to be at the table with her and all the WNBA leaders. It’s important that she understands that we’re accomplishing something historic. So I think there’s probably no better way to express that we’re resolving our differences and moving forward in a league that we all care about.”
Watch CNBC Sports’ full interview with WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike.
—CNBC’s Jessica Golden contributed to this report.
