WNBA CBA Talks: Elizabeth Williams Updates on Negotiations & Strike Threat

The WNBA is facing a critical juncture as negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) continue to stall, with the league and the WNBPA entering a period of “status quo” as of January 9th. Despite a recent in-person meeting – the first in months – significant gaps remain, raising concerns about potential disruptions to the upcoming 2026 season, which is scheduled to begin on May 8th.

Elizabeth Williams, secretary of the WNBPA and a center currently playing for Galatasaray in Turkey, provided insight into the negotiations following the meeting. Williams emphasized a growing sense of urgency on the players’ side, particularly after the league released the 2026 schedule in late January without a finalized CBA. “I think that’s fair to say,” Williams stated when asked if players felt disrespected by the schedule release, “it’s bold to put out a schedule without having anything agreed on.”

The core of the disagreement centers around revenue sharing and salary structure. The league has proposed a model where players would receive approximately 70% of net revenue – revenue after league-specified operating expenses are deducted. The WNBPA, however, is seeking a share of roughly 30% of gross revenue, encompassing all team and league income before expenses. As of February 6th, the union was still awaiting a formal response to its proposal submitted in late December, a delay that Williams described as contributing to a sense of complacency on the league’s part.

The recent in-person meeting, attended by around 40 players and more than half a dozen team owners and executives, appears to have shifted the dynamic somewhat. Williams noted that the opportunity for league officials to hear directly from players, and to understand the reasoning behind their demands, fostered a greater sense of urgency. “I do think as the conversation went on and the league side and ownership side could hear from people in person and hear the tone of why these issues matter, I think that helped the conversation,” she said. She also indicated that the league submitted a new proposal late Friday night, following their conversation.

However, Williams cautioned against assuming a quick resolution. She addressed a narrative that the players’ demands are unrealistic or would jeopardize the league’s growth, arguing that You’ll see ample revenue opportunities available and that the league’s recent expansion and increasing valuations demonstrate its financial health. “I think there’s a misconception about how much the league is losing moving forward,” Williams explained. “Because when you talk about the investment that has gone into the league, when you talk about the valuations of teams, when you talk about expansion fees, all of these things that the league might not consider, like, traditional revenue, it’s still dollars that are coming in.”

The negotiations extend beyond purely financial considerations. Williams highlighted the importance of this CBA as a broader statement about the value of women’s labor and the potential for the WNBA to set a precedent for other women’s sports. She referenced Caitlin Clark’s recent comments about the significance of this moment, emphasizing the transformative impact it could have. “I think this CBA is going to be that example for sports, of course, but just for women in general,” Williams stated. “If the work is being put in and the signs are there, then it needs to be reflected, period.”

Williams also reflected on the evolution of the WNBA during her decade-long career, noting improvements in travel accommodations, fan engagement, and overall league visibility. She contrasted past challenges, such as sharing hotel rooms during the early years of her career, with the current level of excitement surrounding the league, including sold-out arenas and increased media attention. “We joke about it in the locker room…sharing rooms on the road,” she said. “That’s something that a lot of people just seem to forget that you had to do that until you were in your sixth year.”

Despite the progress, the possibility of a work stoppage remains on the table. The WNBPA authorized a strike in December “if necessary,” and Williams affirmed that the players are prepared to take that step if a satisfactory agreement cannot be reached. However, she also expressed a strong desire to avoid a strike, acknowledging the momentum the league has built and the players’ eagerness to compete. “We didn’t have the strike authorization vote for nothing,” Williams said. “We’re in a position, obviously, if we need to strike, we will.”

As of now, Williams remains “cautiously optimistic” that a deal will be reached this month, but acknowledges that further movement is needed from both sides. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the fate of the 2026 WNBA season and the future of the league’s relationship with its players. The league faces the added pressure of conducting free agency, the college draft, and expansion drafts for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, all of which are complicated by the unresolved CBA.