As Halloween nears, the WNBA faces a different kind of scare: the possible unravelling of its most critical agreement.

The league's collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which governs everything from player salaries to working conditions, was originally set to expire this week before being extended by 30 days.

Negotiations for a new one have dragged into overtime.

 

With the 2026 season on the horizon, the question isn't whether the game will continue; it's whether the business holding it together can survive the pressure.

A league on the brink

Talks between the WNBA and the Players Association have reached a standstill.

After months of heated back and forth, reports suggested a new agreement wouldn't be finalised by the original deadline, a prediction that proved true once the extension was announced.

Even as both camps continue to meet, the core divide remains the same: how to value players' labour in a league that's never been more visible or profitable.

Commissioner Cathy Engelbert insists the league is committed to paying athletes more but stresses the importance of keeping new ownership and expansion plans financially viable.

Players, led by WNBPA figures like Nneka Ogwumike and Napheesa Collier, argue that growth should finally translate into shared prosperity.

They want pay tied directly to the league's revenue, not slow, incremental raises.

Recent reports hint that the league's latest proposal includes a new top salary approaching $850,000, a remarkable jump from the previous maximum of around $250,000. Yet, for many athletes, the issue runs deeper than the numbers.

They see this as a fight for structural change, a system where their pay reflects their role in driving record viewership, soaring merchandise sales, and a booming media rights market worth billions.

A fragile peace

The WNBA's 30-day extension may delay immediate conflict, but that olive branch might not be enough.

Some within the union believe the extension is a stalling tactic rather than genuine progress.

"Under the right circumstances" has become the phrase echoing around the negotiating table, but those circumstances, according to insiders, still don't exist.

Collier's recent criticism of league leadership echoed growing frustration across the players' union.

With tensions rising, the timing couldn't be worse; the league is set to debut new franchises in Toronto and Portland, both now left waiting as negotiations stall.

What's at stake

The WNBA is enjoying its highest visibility in history.

Packed arenas, social media buzz, and global attention from college to pro storylines have reshaped its public image. But those achievements now hang in the balance.

Without a new deal, the league could face postponed seasons, frozen free agency, or damaged fan trust.

Optimists believe a deal will come eventually, as it did before the 2020 CBA. Still, the tone this time feels sharper; less patient, more political.

This isn't just about salary caps or percentages; it's about power, equality, and the future of women's sports on a global stage.

The final buzzer

The WNBA isn't ending, but it is approaching a breaking point.

Whether this becomes a moment of collapse or transformation will depend on how both sides handle the next few weeks.

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