The WNBA and its players have been negotiating a new contract for about a year now. Originally set to expire on Oct. 31, 2025, the side agreed to two extensions (Nov. 30 and then Jan. 9) before letting the contract expire and heading into status quo mode. Now, as February begins, the clock is ticking to agree before this gridlock begins to affect the 2026 WNBA season.
Will the WNBA season happen?
The WNBA season is scheduled, but far from a guarantee to take place.
Chelsea Leite has been writing about professional basketball since 2021, and covers both the Toronto Raptors and Toronto Tempo as a credentialed reporter for SB Nation.
In a report from last week, it was stated that the WNBA had not responded to the players’ most recent proposal, submitted a month prior. Reports continued that the WNBA did not feel the need to respond because the proposal was so similar to the one before, and that they were waiting for the players to submit a more “realistic” proposal.
The sides disagree on points such as revenue-sharing models, salary increases, housing, free agency and more — yet it’s the points that involve payment to the players that seem to be holding up talks the most. The players are vocal about their ability to hold strong until they get what they want. They know it’s a historic moment, something that will affect the growth of the WNBA for decades.
The next progression, if a deal is not reached, would be for the players to strike. While there has not been any indication that they are heading down that path, the players’ union has already authorized a strike if necessary.
The longer this takes, the more risk it has of affecting the 2026 WNBA season — which has already been planned by the league. It released schedules last week and is selling tickets to games.
All of this leads to the question: Will the WNBA season happen in 2026? If it does, will the ongoing negotiations cause delays? Let’s talk about it in the comments.
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