The WNBA is preparing for significant expansion, with new teams set to launch in Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Detroit over the next five seasons, in addition to previously announced franchises in Toronto and Portland. This development marks a transformative moment for the league, which has been enjoying unprecedented growth in viewership, attendance, and revenue.
Chicago Sky center and WNBPA secretary Elizabeth Williams sees this expansion as a critical turning point. “The league is saying that we’re growing, we’re expanding, business is booming,” she noted, feeling that the players’ request for better terms in current collective bargaining negotiations is well-founded. The players’ union, the WNBPA, recently rejected the league’s initial proposal, asserting that the benefits of the league’s growth should also be reflected in player compensation and working conditions.
While the importance of expansion is acknowledged, reactions from players have been mixed. Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham questioned the enthusiasm for new locations, while others, like Sky forward Angel Reese and Williams, emphasized the rich tradition of women’s basketball in these cities and the passionate sports culture in Philadelphia. They expressed hope that the expansion will lead to more opportunities for talented players and further inclusivity within the league.
Nevertheless, the ongoing CBA negotiations pose challenges. Players are pushing for a substantial increase to the current salary cap, which presently allows teams to spend just over $1.5 million on entire rosters. For context, the minimum salary for an NBA rookie is significantly higher, around $1.1 million. Notably, the maximum contract for a WNBA player is less than $250,000.
In addition to salary increases, players are calling for improved benefits and conditions, such as the expansion of team rosters from 12 to 15 players. This change is seen as vital for player health and development, particularly as the league grapples with injury management throughout the demanding season.
Coaches like Tyler Marsh highlight that increasing roster sizes could enhance player durability and offer teams better options during injury crises, allowing them to manage their athletes more effectively over the lengthy season.
As the current CBA comes to an end on October 31, time is of the essence for the union and the league to negotiate a new agreement ahead of the 2026 season. The stakes are high, with the potential for a work stoppage looming, a first for the WNBA if a compromise isn’t reached.
The coming months are critical, both for the league’s growth and for the future of professional women’s basketball in the United States. The ongoing negotiations have the potential to reshape the league’s landscape and ensure that its expansion is a boon for players as well as teams.