The WNBA and WNBPA have been negotiating the terms of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) since the deal signed in January 2020 expired last October. While plenty of attention has been paid to revenue sharing and housing as the most important issues for both parties, other benefits and changes are on the table.
One potential change would see the WNBA add a pool of developemental players to each team. Per The Athletic, both parties appear to be open to the idea of adding two such players to each team, which would give an additional 30 players jobs in the league. A developmental pool would also address a longtime fan and player demand: increased roster sizes.
A WNBA developmental pool is the right step for the league
Adding a developmental pool for each team is the right move for the WNBA. Doing so will help teams if a player is injured — instead of waiting potentially days to sign a player to a temporary relief contract (and sometimes renewing those contracts several times over the course of a season, as we saw the Indiana Fever do multiple times last year), another player will be immediately available. This will keep teams from playing without a full roster and guarantees a steady paycheck for the two players in the developmental pool.
The establishment of a developmental pool also means 30 more athletes will have WNBA jobs. Though few details have been made public in terms of how these players would be chosen or how they would be paid, the premise is a strong one that is mutually beneficial for the WNBA and the WNBPA.
The WNBA set a deadline for CBA negotiations this week
This week the WNBA and WNPBA met virtually to continue CBA discussions. The meeting was attended by around 50 players and plenty of league representation, but didn't result in a new agreement between the parties.
Mulitiple outlets reported the WNBA did tell players a new CBA needs to be in place by March 10 in order for the 2026 season to begin on time. The season is scheduled to begin May 8 and the league will need to hold expansion drafts for the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, hold free agency that will see the vast majority of players available in some capacity, and to hold the 2026 WNBA Draft. After that, teams will hold training camp and preseason games, both of which are typically opportunities for fans to be introduced to rookies and recently signed free agents.