CBA negotiations between the WNBA and its players’ association have been at a standstill since players opted out of the previous agreement earlier this year.
The impasse has fueled controversy surrounding Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and the league, particularly after she allegedly made disparaging comments about WNBA stars. Fan reaction to the dispute even overshadowed this year’s Finals between the Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury, as the fractured relationship between the league and its players took center stage.
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Now, new details reveal just how far apart the two sides remain — and suggest Engelbert’s problems extend beyond the bargaining table.
Engelbert’s Strained Relationships Reach Beyond Players
According to Annie Costabile of Front Office Sports, the commissioner’s deteriorating relationships aren’t limited to players. Team presidents and owners are reportedly at odds with her as well.
This compounds mounting tension with WNBA stars who have publicly clashed with Engelbert over the past week following her alleged comments about players.
The league’s latest proposal includes a supermax contract capped at $850,000 per year in the first season, with a veteran minimum starting at $300,000. But the WNBA has refused the players’ association’s key demand: a fixed salary model similar to the NBA’s structure.
According to the report, the two sides are unlikely to reach an agreement before the Oct. 31 deadline. If negotiations collapse, the league and players will face the prospect of a work stoppage heading into the 2026 season.
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