Many deadlines related toWNBA collective bargaining agreementhave come and gone as negotiations between the league and players' union have stretched across months, but none are more important than Tuesday.
The league said Tuesday, March 10, is the date a term sheet for a new CBA must be completed in order to avoid a delay in the start of the 2026 season, which is scheduled to tip off May 8. There's been movement from both sides as the deadline approached as the WNBA and WNBPA swapped counterproposals over the weekend. But, as of Tuesday morning, there is no deal.
Will there be a 2026 season? Will the players go on strike? What's next for the WNBA? Here's everything you need to know as the latest CBA deadline has passed without a new deal:
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) celebrates with teammates after the Aces defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 89-86, at Michelob Ultra Arena." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces battles for the ball with Alyssa Thomas #25 and Kahleah Copper #2 of the Phoenix Mercury." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Chelsea Gray (12) and A'ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces grab a rebound past DeWanna Bonner (14) and Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) looks to tip a loose ball away from Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33)." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith (3) shoots against Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4)." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: A'ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates after making a basket against the Phoenix Mercury." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Megan Gustafson (17) of the Las Vegas Aces." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury looks to shoot the ball against NaLyssa Smith (3) of the Las Vegas Aces." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: NaLyssa Smith (3) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts during the third quarter." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Chelsea Gray (12) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts against the Phoenix Mercury during the fourth quarter." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury drives to the basket against Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) dribbles against Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2)." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) drives against Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2)." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Kahleah Copper (2) of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates after her 3-point basket." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Head coach Nate Tibbetts of the Phoenix Mercury looks on during the first quarter." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Maddy Westbeld of the Chicago Sky (left) and Rae Burrell of the Los Angeles Sparks look on." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts in front of Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon looks on." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Dana Evans of the Las Vegas Aces, shoots the ball between Monique Akoa Makani and Natasha Mack of the Phoenix Mercury." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces drives to the basket against Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury grabs a rebound against the Las Vegas Aces." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: Chelsea Gray of the Las Vegas Aces shoots the ball against Monique Akoa Makani of the Phoenix Mercury." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Game 1: A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces grabs a rebound against Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
WNBA recent CBA negotiations: Where do things stand?
TheWNBA submitted a counterproposalto the players' union on March 1 in response to the WNBPA'sFeb. 27 submission. WNBPA executive committee memberKelsey Plumsaid the league's offer marked a "significant win" amid negotiations.
In a private letter obtained byESPNon March 3, Plum and fellow executive committee memberBreanna Stewartraised "serious concerns" about the union's handling of CBA negotiations, citing a lack of player involvement. Stewart said the executive committee met after the letter leaked, which led to "a little bit of a tougher call Tuesday night" that ultimately got "the (executive committee) back on track."
On March 4, the WNBPA executive committee released a statementpublicly backing the negotiating teamof its executive director Terri Jackson and players' union president Nneka Ogwumike: "In every CBA negotiation, the goal of the league and teams is to divide the players. These negotiations are no different. We remain united and focused on delivering a transformational CBA for all members of the Union, and are committed to negotiating for as long as it takes."
The WNBPA statement added the league's proposal "is not worth taking." The players' union met again on Thursday, March 5, which "seemed a lot more productive," Stewart said. According toESPN,the players' union sent a proposal back to the league on Friday, March 6, and the league quickly countered on Saturday, March 7.
The league andWNBPA last met virtually on Feb. 23. On the call were more than 50 WNBA players, including the entire WNBPA executive committee, along with league staff, the labor relations committee and owners as CBA negotiations continue.
What are the key issues between WNBA players and owners?
Revenue sharing and the salary cap remain the top sticking points. Here is where the two sides stand:
Revenue sharing: The WNBPA requested 25% of gross revenue in the first year, increasing over the life of the agreement to an average of roughly 26%. The WNBA is currently offering more than 70% of league and team net revenue.
Salary cap: The union also proposed a salary cap of less than $9.5 million. The WNBA proposed a salary cap of $5.75 million per year, rising with league revenues it will grow to roughly $8.5 million by 2031.
Will WNBA players go on strike?
In December, the players voted to authorize the WNBPA's executive committee to "call a strike when necessary." The WNBPA said the strike authorization vote resulted in98% yes voteswith 93% participation among players.
In a private letter obtained byESPNon Tuesday, March 3,StewartandPlumwarned a potential work stoppage would harm the league's financial outlook. After the letter went public, the executive committee said a decision to strike "was not taken lightly."
"Despite our differences and tough moments, we must make crystal clear that we are focused, we are resolute, and we are together," the WNBPA executive committee said on Wednesday, March 4. "We want to play basketball in 2026. We want to be in front of our fans playing the game that we love. We will not stop fighting. There is no WNBA without the players."
Plum echoed that sentiment on March 3. Ahead of the Unrivaled semifinal game on Monday, Plum said: "I want to play, and players want to play ... And so obviously we're going to continue to negotiate and do everything we possibly can to get this done in a timely fashion. But obviously a strike would be the worst thing for both sides, because we are in a revenue (sharing system), so no revenue, no revenue to share."
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MORE:Breanna Stewart says leaked CBA Letter sparked 'tougher' talks within players' union
Has WNBA ever had a lockout?
The WNBA has never experienced a lockout in its 30-year history, although the 2003 WNBA draft and preseason were postponed before a newCBA was reached.
When is 2026 WNBA Draft? Who has No. 1 pick?
The 2026 WNBA Draft is scheduled to take place on Monday, April 13, a little more than a week after a national champion will be crowned at the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The Dallas Wings were awarded the No. 1 overall pick in thedraft lotteryfor the second consecutive year. The Wings will have first dibs on big names likeUConn'sAzzi Fudd, Spain's Awa Fam,UCLA'sLauren Betts,TCU'sOlivia MilesandLSU's Flau'jae Johnson.
"We want someone who wants to win," said Wings forward Maddy Siegrist, who represented the team at the lottery in November. TheMinnesota Lynxwill pick second in the draft, followed by theSeattle Storm.
When is the 2026 expansion draft?
The Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire are set to join the league in 2026 as the 14th and 15th WNBA franchises, but the teams will have to wait a little longer to begin assemble their rosters. That's because the rules and format of the upcoming expansion draft will be negotiated in the new CBA, meaning the draft cannot be held until a deal is in place.
"We have given our general managers some guidance on how we're thinking, but until we get the collective bargaining agreement done, it won't be finalized as to the format or process,"WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebertsaid back in October. "But you can expect, because you saw what we did last year, something similar."
When the Golden State Valkyries joined the league as the 13th franchise in 2025, theteam's expansion draftwas held on Dec. 6, 2024. The draft rules were released on Sept. 30, 2024 and WNBA teams were required to provide the league with a roster list of all their players by Nov 25, 2024, including six protected players that wouldn't be available for selection. Golden State then got to pick one player from each team, nearly two months before team-building continued through free agency in late January.
The timeline will be much tighter for the Tempo and Fire with the WNBA's projected May 8 start date. The league has to squeeze in an expansion draft for two teams, free agency that will feature over 100 players and the 2026 WNBA Draft before opening night.
When does WNBA free agency start?
It's not clear when WNBA free agency will start, but it will likely be a wild ride. The league will have a staggering amount of free agents as many players avoided signing contracts past the 2025 season, aside from rookie-scale contracts, as a new CBA and higher salaries are on the horizon. Money is not the only thing on the negotiating table — the new CBA could impact free agency rules, such as core designation rules.
2026 WNBA season key dates
The WNBA's landmark 30th season is scheduled to tip off on Friday, May 8. It's not clear how the March 10 deadline will impact the key dates below:
May 8: Opening Night
June 1-June 17: Commissioner's Cup
July 24-27: All-Star Weekend (Chicago)
September 1- September 16: FIBA Break
September 24: Last day of regular season
USA TODAY's Meghan L. Hall and Mark Giannotto contributed to this report
Reach USA TODAY National Women's Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@usatoday.com and follow her on X at@CydHenderson.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:WNBA CBA deadline passes without new deal: Here's what we know