Sources informed ESPN on Wednesday that the WNBA and players’ union reached a verbal agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement in New York. The deal projects the salary cap to exceed $10 million by the end of the seven-year term. The 2026 cap hits $7 million, up from $1.5 million in 2025. Players sought higher pay amid revenue growth. The union stood firm on demands.

The prior CBA started the cap at $1.3 million in 2020. It grew by 3 percent yearly. This new pact links growth to revenue. It includes an opt-out after year six. A term sheet nears completion. The WNBA board and players must ratify it soon.

Player salaries surge under the deal. The 2026 supermax starts at $1.4 million. That tops the 2025 figure of $249,244. Average pay reaches $600,000, versus $120,000 now. Minimum salary exceeds $300,000, above $66,079 in 2025. These boosts mark major gains.

Average revenue share nears 20 percent over the deal. Details of the system remain unclear. It was a key negotiation issue. The agreement adds player benefits. It codifies charter travel. It sets pro standards. These changes professionalize the league.

WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike praised the outcome. “We’re grateful to reach this deal,” she said. “We stood on business.” The pact clears paths for offseason moves. Free agency and drafts for new teams in Portland and Toronto loom. Final details come soon. The season stays on track.