The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA), the players union, and the WNBA remain locked in an intense showdown ahead of the 2026 schedule release. The previous collective bargaining agreement (CBA) expired Jan. 9, 2026, after missed deadlines and extensions.
Candace Parker Exclusive: Setting the Bar for Women’s Basketball
In an exclusive talkSPORT interview, WNBA legend and Hall of Famer Candace Parker stressed the league’s role as a global standard in women’s basketball. “I think it’s super important for the WNBA to kind of set the bar. A lot of things the WNBA has been first,” she said, urging higher pay to match the sport’s momentum.
“The power is always within the players but obviously we want there to be a season. I think its super important for both sides to work together,” she said.
The WNBA continues to operate under outdated CBA rules, and Parker suggested addressing league disparities, such as coaches sometimes earning more than players, to help avoid a lockout or strike and keep the 2026 season on schedule.
Oct 10, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts reacts against the Las Vegas Aces during the second half of game four of the 2025 WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
The WNBPA is advocating for about 30% of the WNBA’s overall gross earnings, along with a $10.5 million per-team spending limit.
Under the league’s latest counteroffer, top earners could receive a $1 million base salary, with the chance to surpass $1.3 million through performance-based incentives tied to income distribution. The proposal would also allocate about 70% of after-expenses profits across the term of the contract, starting with a $5 million team budget in Year 1 that would scale as the league’s finances grow.
With the release of the 2026 schedule during ongoing negotiations, it would seem the WNBA will soon make a counteroffer or reach an agreement on the CBA terms.
“Somebody better start talking before I start screaming.”
A’ja Wilson, the reigning MVP and Las Vegas Aces star, took to Threads shortly after the 2026 schedule release.
Jul 19, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Team Collier forward Napheesa Collier (24) looks on before the 2025 WNBA All Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
The schedule itself teases a competitive season, if it happens.
Opening weekend features two expansion teams, Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo.
The WNBA’s 2026 schedule (44 games, May 8-Sept. 24) features a 2025 Finals rematch (Aces vs. Mercury), Clark vs. Bueckers (Fever vs. Wings) and a 30th-anniversary rematch (Sparks vs. Liberty on June 21). The league has also made room for a 17-day break for the FIBA World Cup.
For Aces fans, the wait ends May 9 at T-Mobile Arena, where the defending champions host Phoenix in a banner-raising Finals rematch, assuming a CBA deal gets finalized soon.
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