WNBA CBA Negotiations Near Deadline Amid Loaded 2025 Free-Agent Class

The WNBA is facing a critical offseason marked by a loaded free-agent class and the impending expiration of its collective bargaining agreement (CBA) at the end of October 2025, creating significant uncertainty about the league's future salary structure and player movement. The WNBPA opted out of the current CBA a year ago, seeking a new economic model based on equity and a larger share of league revenues, but negotiations have been tense and progress slow, with no deal expected before the October 31 deadline. WNBPA leaders, including president Nneka Ogwumike and executive director Terri Jackson, emphasize the players' continued determination to fight for fair terms, while some players have publicly criticized league leadership for the stalled talks. Given the deadline pressure, an extension to continue negotiations beyond October 31 remains possible, but the situation remains unresolved. Meanwhile, the free-agent market features key players such as A’ja Wilson and Napheesa Collier, whose future team affiliations are pivotal amid the broader labor uncertainty. This offseason represents a transformative moment for the WNBA as it wrestles with both individual player contracts and the overarching labor framework that will shape the league's direction.