The CBA has a significant impact on players’ bank accounts

The National Women’s Basketball Association ratified the terms of a new collective bargaining agreement on Monday, calling it “transformational” and “bigger than basketball.”

The new CBA starts this season and runs through 2032.

When asked what she thought was the most important outcome from the deal, WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike answered in two words: “bank accounts.”

“Being able to link your value to your salary is all we were fighting for, and that’s what we were able to achieve,” Ogwumike told CNBC Sport in an interview.

The deal increases the average player salary to $583,000 in 2026 with the potential to grow to more than $1 million by 2032. The players’ salary cap will now be $1.4 million in 2026 and could grow to more than $2.4 million by 2032, based on the WNBA’s current financial projections.

Ogwumike acknowledged that salary increases may change players’ plans on how to spend their off-seasons.

The average WNBA salary was $120,000 in 2025, motivating many players to play overseas or in other leagues, such as the 3-on-3 Unrivaled league, for extra money.

“Prioritizing where you want to play is going to look a lot different now that we are able to negotiate the pay structure and structure tied to the company’s revenue,” Ogwumike said.

Several WNBA players, including five-time WNBA All-Star Naphesa Collier, have expressed a loss of confidence in WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert in recent months, criticizing her empathy and outreach to players. Ogwumike expressed optimism that players will be able to work alongside Engelbert under the new CBA structure.

“I told her we’re standing here with you, Cathy,” Ogwumike said. “We were able to get this deal and go through the process of this deal, no matter how rough or smooth, we got here. It’s important for her to understand that we as players are at the table with her and all of the WNBA leaders to achieve something incredibly historic. So, I feel like there’s probably no better way to represent us and settle our differences and move forward with a league that we all care about then by signing this deal.”

– CNBC Jessica Golden She contributed to this report.