The WNBA just upped the ante.
The WNBA’s latest collective bargaining agreement proposal submitted to the Women’s National Basketball Players Association included a maximum base salary of $1 million in 2026, with the projected revenue-sharing component elevating total compensation for max players to more than $1.2 million, sources with knowledge of the negotiations confirmed to The Post on Monday.
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Under the proposal, first reported by ESPN, the average player salary for the upcoming season is projected to exceed $500,000, and the minimum projected salary is expected to be more than $225,000, sources said.
The Gainbridge Fieldhouse, covered with large banners featuring WNBA players and an “AT&T WNBA All-Star Indy 2025” sign. REUTERS
The salary cap would increase from roughly $1.5 million in 2025 to $5 million in the first year of the new CBA, too, according to sources.
This proposal featured a roughly 15 percent increase from the league’s previous proposal, where the maximum base salary was estimated to be in the range of $800,000 to $850,000.
The previous proposal also projected the league minimum to be around $220,000 with an average of more than $460,000.
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The latest proposal came to light less than a day after the two sides agreed to a 40-day extension to the current CBA that would allow the league and players’ union more time to hash out details of a new deal.
Less than an hour before the current CBA was set to expire Sunday night, the WNBA announced the two sides agreed to push the deadline to Jan. 9 at 11:59 p.m.
Either side has the option to terminate the extension with 48 hours’ advance notice.
Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) celebrates a made shot as Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2) looks on during Game 3 of the WNBA Finals. Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The players have been pushing for a more robust revenue-sharing structure and increased salaries in the next CBA.
Other priorities include a softer salary cap and improved benefits, including for mothers and former players.
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Players want a piece of both the league and team revenue streams.
But sources said the WNBA has proposed a “fundamentally different compensation structure” that would ensure players’ compensation would grow alongside the league and team revenues.
In 2025, the league’s minimum salary was $66,079 and the supermax was $249,244.
How the players feel about the proposal was not immediately known.
The WNBPA didn’t immediately return The Post’s request for comment.
