@ajahorr@ahmurmur@AnnieCostabile there aren't 100% confirmed rules for how this year's offseason will work, but coring allows a team to automatically retain a would-be unrestricted free agent. it's separate from protecting players from the expansion draft
@ahmurmur@UnderdogWNBA@AnnieCostabile it says a player over 6 years cant be cored. if they're not cored doesn't that mean they can be picked up by the expansion teams ?
Additional details on new CBA, via @AnnieCostabile:
- Housing will be provided for all players for the next 3 years
- Beginning in 2029, players making $500K or less still qualify for team-provided housing
- Rookie minimum starts at $270K, scales up to $300K for players with 10+ years of service
- Beginning in 2027, a player can only be cored if she has 6 or fewer years of service
Players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents next month, per @Spotrac:
A'ja Wilson
Breanna Stewart
Sabrina Ionescu
Kelsey Plum
Napheesa Collier
Jewell Loyd
Kahleah Copper
Arike Ogunbowale
Jackie Young
Kelsey Mitchell
Sophie Cunningham
Emma Meesseman
Gabby Williams
Satou Sabally
Alyssa Thomas
Natasha Howard
Brittney Griner
Brionna Jones
Skylar Diggins-Smith
Marina Mabrey
Kayla McBride
Myisha Hines-Allen
Dearica Hamby
DiJonai Carrington
Natasha Cloud
Ariel Atkins
Tiffany Hayes
Chelsea Gray
Nneka Ogwumike
Azura Stevens
Jonquel Jones
Brittney Sykes
Jordin Canada
Ezi Magbegor
Alysha Clark
Courtney Vandersloot
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton
Courtney Williams
Stefanie Dolson
Tina Charles
Allisha Gray
Rebecca Allen
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough
Alanna Smith
Kia Nurse
Natisha Hiedeman
Rae Burrell
Michaela Onyenwere
Bridget Carleton
Sami Whitcomb
Kayla Thornton
Monique Billings
Kiah Stokes
Elizabeth Williams
Tyasha Harris
Damiris Dantas
Megan Gustafson
Rachel Banham
Sydney Colson
Temi Fagbenle
Lindsay Allen
Katie Lou Samuelson
Dana Evans
Julie Allemand
Brianna Turner
Stephanie Talbot
DeWanna Bonner
Bria Hartley
Odyssey Sims
Jessica Shepard
Isabelle Harrison
Erica Wheeler
Tiffany Mitchell
Kennedy Burke
Emma Cannon
Aari McDonald
Jade Melbourne
Additional details of new WNBA CBA, per @shamscharania:
- Salary cap starts at $7M (up from $1.5M in 2025)
- Average revenue share of nearly 20% across CBA
- Supermax salary starts at $1.4M
- Average salary in $600K range, minimum salary above $300K (minimum was $66,079 in 2025)
WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike statement on the agreement:
"For the first time, player salaries are tied to a truly meaningful share of league revenue, driving exponential growth in the salary cap, increasing average compensation beyond half a million dollars, and raising the professional standard across facilities, staffing, and support. It strengthens housing and retirement, and expands resources for family planning and parental leave. It redefines what it means to be a professional in this league."
Early details on new WNBA, WNBPA agreement, per @AnnieCostabile, @alexaphilippou, @tomfriendwriter:
- Salary system directly tied to revenue growth
- Supermax salary will be seven figures
- 2026 salary cap is "likely at $6.5M or above"
- Expansion draft, qualifying offers, free agency in early-to-mid April
- Training camp begins April 19
- Preseason games start April 25
- Regular season opens May 8
Agreement will be voted upon by players and WNBA Board of Governors in coming weeks.
Cathy Engelbert said there's urgency to agree to new CBA by Monday to avoid disruption to the preseason schedule.
(via @alexaphilippou, @AnnieCostabile)
WNBA's latest CBA proposal includes:
- Salary cap starting at $6.2M (up from last offer of $5.75M and 2025 cap of $1.5M)
- Max salary of $1.3M in year 1 that grows to nearly $2M in year 6
The sides are starting a third day of extended negotiations today.
WNBA, WNBPA finished 12-hour bargaining session that ended around 5:20am ET Wednesday morning without a new CBA deal.
Players in attendance included Breanna Stewart, Nneka Ogwumike, Brianna Turner, and Alysha Clark.
The WNBA has previously said that the deadline for starting the season on time was yesterday.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert:
"We’re working towards a win-win deal like we’ve been saying, a transformational deal for these players that balances all the things we’ve been trying to balance with continued investment by our owners, etc. So we’re working hard towards that, and we still have work to do ... We've got to get it done soon."
WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson:
"Every meeting is a positive meeting ... The fact that we scheduled meetings, that we offer dates to schedule meetings that we actually get together, get in the room. I think that's positive. It's taking as long as it's taking. But you know, that's what it needs to be."
Info via @AnnieCostabile, @alexaphilippou
Wings' statement on Arike Ongunbowale:
“The Wings are aware of an incident involving Arike Ogunbowale and are in the process of gathering more information. Further comments will be provided once we have more details."
2026 USA World Cup qualifying team:
Monique Billings
Paige Bueckers
Rae Burrell
Caitlin Clark
Kahleah Copper
Chelsea Gray
Dearica Hamby
Rhyne Howard
Kiki Iriafen
Kelsey Plum
Angel Reese
Jackie Young
Aliyah Boston, Sonia Citron are out due to injury.
WNBPA vice presidents Breanna Stewart, Kelsey Plum in letter to players' union executive director Terri Jackson:
"We do not feel like [the players] have an adequate seat at the table in these [CBA] negotiations."
(via @alexaphilippou, @DVNJr)