The WNBA Players Association executive director told CNBC he remains “frustrated” by the lack of progress toward a new collective bargaining agreement as the deadline for a new league agreement approaches.
“We’re a little frustrated with where we are, but we’re sticking to our principles,” WNBPA Executive Director Terry Jackson said in an interview with CNBC Sports. “We remain open to the fact that these negotiations will continue, because they have to. We will be at the negotiating table as long as they last, and we hope that there are enough people on the team side to start pushing these negotiations forward.”
Jackson told CNBC Sports that he is continuing to negotiate a new league labor agreement with his negotiator, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. The CBA (labor contract) between the WNBA and the players expired on October 31st, but the deadline for a new agreement was extended to January 9th because the two sides could not reach an agreement.
WNBA players are seeking big raises to get more of the league’s salary increases. The WNBA signed a media rights deal last year that increased its revenue sixfold. The league and its players have been actively negotiating for months over issues related to pay, benefits, working conditions and revenue sharing.
Citing a non-disclosure agreement, Jackson declined to discuss the details of the stalled negotiations, but added: “Everything still appears to be at a stalemate.”
A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces goes to the basket against the Phoenix Mercury during Game 4 of the 2025 WNBA Finals at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Oct. 10, 2025.
Mike Lawrence | National Basketball Association | Getty Images
The WNBA’s latest proposal to the union includes raising the maximum annual salary to $1 million per season, with revenue sharing potentially increasing that amount to more than $1.2 million, according to people familiar with the matter. The current supermax contract is just under $250,000 a year.
The new proposal is also expected to raise the average annual salary to more than $500,000 and bring the league minimum to more than $225,000. Currently, the league minimum is just over $66,000.
As part of the proposed revenue-sharing agreement, players would receive annual raises. The terms of revenue sharing have been a point of contention in negotiations. The WNBPA recently proposed that players receive 30% of the league’s and team’s total revenue, or more than double the amount the league proposed, The Athletic reported.
Jackson, who is spearheading negotiations on behalf of the players, said despite the frustrations, the association was hopeful of reaching an agreement by the imposed deadline.
“It’s hard to understand why there’s such a gap in what should be brought closer, but it should be simple, but it seems like sometimes leagues and teams come into the negotiation table with the mindset that salary equity is an option and salary equity is not an option,” Jackson said.
Mr. Jackson stressed that they are working hard to finalize the agreement by January 9th.
“Will there be another extension? There should be no more,” she said. “There is no need for further extensions. We understand their position and point of view. They understand our position and point of view.”
The WNBA is experiencing record growth in television ratings, attendance and sponsorship, but Jackson said the only thing that could stop that momentum is a work stoppage if the teams can’t reach an agreement. Several WNBA stars have already expressed their desire to avoid missing games. The WNBA season begins in May 2026.
Engelbert said in October that the league wanted to avoid a lockout.
“Caitlin Clark, Angel Rees, Nneka Ogwumike and Nafeesa Collier have all said so, and any work stoppage would be devastating,” Jackson said. “Nobody wants to see that happen.”
