New WNBA CBA Elevates Rookie Pay and Sets Supermax Path

The WNBA and the players’ union reached an in-principle agreement on a new CBA that will raise pay for all players under contract—including rookies (minimums rising from about $66k to over $300k). It also creates a path to a $1.4M supermax, with a league cap starting at $7M and an expected ~20% revenue share for players. Core-designation rules would tighten by 2027, and players with extensions of three or more years on rookie deals would not be eligible to be “core” thereafter. A term sheet will be signed, followed by a players’ vote and board ratification; the 30th season is set to begin May 8 (training camp April 19), with free agency and expansion processes for Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo to follow.