WNBA New CBA Proposal: Housing Wins, But Revenue Battle Rages On

The clock is ticking on the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA), and we finally have movement from the league office. After weeks of radio silence following the players’ aggressive December proposal, the WNBA dropped a counteroffer on Friday night that has everyone talking. The headline? For the first time, the league is putting housing on the table. But before we pop the champagne, let’s look at the scoreboard: the revenue-sharing gap is still a chasm, and the players aren’t likely to settle for studio apartments instead of a slice of the pie.

This latest move signals that the league is listening to quality-of-life concerns, but it also highlights just how far apart the two sides remain on the core financial structure of the deal. With the league’s popularity skyrocketing and valuations soaring, the players are demanding a partnership model that reflects their contribution to that growth. The league’s response? A few facility upgrades and some rent support, but a firm stiff-arm on the big money.

Here is a breakdown of the play-by-play on this new proposal, what it means for the athletes grinding on minimum deals, and why the revenue-sharing standoff could push these negotiations into overtime.

The Housing Play: A Modest Win for Rookies and Vets

For years, housing has been a major pain point for WNBA players. Unlike their NBA counterparts, many WNBA athletes scramble to find affordable, safe, and short-term housing in expensive markets during the season. The league’s new proposal attempts to address this directly, though with specific limitations.

Under the new terms, players on minimum salaries and those with zero years of service—essentially your rookies and bubble players—would be eligible for league-provided one-bedroom apartments for the first three years of the deal. Developmental players, who often face the most precarious financial situations, would receive studio apartments.

This is a tangible win. It takes a massive logistical and financial burden off the players who can least afford it. It acknowledges that professional athletes shouldn’t be worrying about lease agreements and security deposits when they should be focusing on film study and recovery. However, critics argue that housing should be a baseline standard for all professional athletes, not a bargaining chip used to distract from larger financial inequities.

The Revenue Gap: The Sticking Point That Won’t Go Away

While the housing news is positive, the real battle is being fought on the balance sheet. The WNBA Players Association (WNBPA) has been clear from the jump: they want a revenue-sharing model that fundamentally changes the economics of the league. Their target is reportedly around 30% of gross league revenue.

The league’s counteroffer? It moved the needle, but barely. Reports indicate the revised revenue-sharing figure is a “marginal” increase that doesn’t even hit 15% of total league revenue. That is less than half of what the players are asking for.

This disconnect is the heart of the negotiation. The players look at sold-out arenas, exploding viewership numbers, and high-profile expansion teams, and they see a business that is thriving. They believe the old economic model, built on the assumption that the league is a risky startup losing money, no longer applies. The owners, conversely, seem determined to maintain the status quo, offering small percentage bumps rather than the structural overhaul the union is demanding.

Facility Upgrades and Operational Concessions

Beyond housing and revenue, the proposal also touched on facility standards. This has been another sore spot, with viral stories of subpar practice facilities and travel conditions embarrassing the league in recent years.

The league’s offer includes “small facility concessions.” While details are scarce, this likely means minor commitments to equipment standards or locker room amenities. Like the housing offer, it is a step in the right direction, but it feels like a band-aid on a bullet wound compared to the comprehensive infrastructure overhaul the players have been advocating for. The union wants professional standards across the board—no more shared college gyms or weight rooms that look like they belong in a local YMCA.

What is the Strategy Here?

So, why did the league offer housing now? It is a classic negotiation tactic. By conceding on a tangible, emotional issue like housing, the league hopes to build momentum and show good faith without giving up the farm on revenue. It puts the ball back in the players’ court. If the union rejects the deal outright, they risk looking unreasonable for turning down guaranteed housing for their most vulnerable members.

But the WNBPA leadership, led by President Nneka Ogwumike, is savvy. They know that housing, while important, doesn’t pay the bills long-term or build generational wealth. They are playing the long game. The reaction from players on social media—acknowledging the housing win but immediately pivoting back to revenue—shows that the union is disciplined and united. They aren’t going to be bought off with apartment leases.

Next Steps: Overtime or a Quick Resolution?

We are entering a critical phase. Negotiators are expected to meet again quickly to dissect the fine print of this offer. The union has a decision to make: do they counter with a slightly lower revenue ask to keep the ball moving, or do they hold the line at 30% and risk a stalemate?

If revenue talks stall, things could get ugly. A prolonged impasse threatens the 2026 season schedule. We could see players taking their case to the public even more aggressively, leveraging their massive social media followings to put pressure on sponsors and owners.

The next few weeks will tell us if this housing offer was a bridge to a deal or just a speed bump on the road to a lockout. One thing is certain: the WNBA players know their worth, and they aren’t backing down until the check reflects the stats.