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Basketball Bargaining: Players and League Work Toward a Deal
Midtown Manhattan, New York City, USAThursday, March 12, 2026
In a tense marathon of talks that stretched into the early hours, Midtown’s Langham Hotel became the backdrop for a critical third day of negotiations between the WNBA and its players’ union. The aim? To avoid any delay to the league’s 30th season.
Key Players in the Room
| Side | Participants |
|---|---|
| Players | Nneka Ogwumike, Breanna Stewart, Brianna Turner, Alysha Clark |
| Union | Executive Director Terri Carmichael Jackson |
| League | Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, Owner Clara Wu Tsai, Connecticut Sun President Jennifer Rizzotti |
Negotiation Timeline
- Earlier 12‑hour session: Ended at dawn with no agreement.
- Third day (late night): Talks resumed, continuing until just after 1 a.m. when they paused.
Progress & Position
- Progress evident: Players felt a “movement” and maintained their collective process.
- Proposals exchanged: Eight by day three, yet revenue sharing and player housing remain hot topics.
- League offer:
- $6.2 million salary cap
- ~70 % of net revenue for players
- 20 % supermax salary (potentially lowering average pay)
Next Steps
- Approval: Agreement must pass the league’s board of governors and secure a majority vote from players.
- Implementation: Once ratified, the league will:
- Proceed with expansion drafts
- Schedule the regular season to start May 8
- Kick off training camp in just weeks
“We’re not just negotiating for a contract; we’re securing the chance to play,” Ogwumike said.
The urgency is palpable: a swift resolution keeps the season on track.
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