The WNBA told the Women's National Basketball Players Association, A and its franchises on Monday that a new collective bargaining agreement must be finalized by March 10, or the season is in jeopardy According to league officials and sources who spoke with ESPN, meeting this specific date is viewed as the only way to ensure the 2026 regular season schedule remains intact without significant disruptions.

This development followed a virtual meeting between league staff, the labor relations committee, team owners, and more than 50 players. The session marked the second formal bargaining round this month as both sides  navigate a process that has now spanned 16 months. The WNBPA’s leadership is reviewing the league’s latest proposal, which was submitted this past Friday.

The urgency stems from a congested offseason calendar. Even if a deal is reached by the deadline, the  ratification could take weeks. Once settled, the league still faces a mountain of administrative work, including expansion drafts for the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire, newly approved teams being added to the league. Additionally, roughly 80% of the league is set for free agency—a process that cannot move forward until a new agreement is signed.

As it stands, the WNBA Draft is scheduled for April 13, with training camps opening on April 19. The 2026 regular season is slated to tip off on May 8. During the recent NBA All-Star weekend, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver noted the proximity of the deadline, stating that while deals often come together at the "11th hour," the league is quickly approaching that window.

The primary roadblocks remain centered on player housing and the mechanics of a new revenue-sharing model. While the union told ESPN that the league generated enough revenue in 2025 to trigger sharing—including $9.25 million in licensing revenue—the two sides are still at odds over the specifics. WNBPA treasurer Brianna Turner told ESPN that these financial milestones reinforce the players' value in these high-stakes talks.

With the previous agreement having expired after a Jan. 9 deadline, the pressure is mounting. The player body previously authorized the union’s executive committee to call for a strike if necessary, though the exchange of proposals this month suggests both sides are still pushing for a resolution at the table.