The Women's National Basketball Players' Association submitted a new counterproposal to the WNBA on Tuesday, marking a shift in negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement. First reported by ESPN, the union’s latest offer includes concessions on revenue sharing and player housing, two of the most significant hurdles in the ongoing labor talks.

According to a source who talked to ESPN, the union, led by Executive Director Terri Carmichael Jackson and President  and Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike, is now requesting an average of 27.5% of gross revenue over the duration of the deal to be available for player salaries. This is a decrease from the 31% requested in a December proposal. The new plan seeks 25% of gross revenue in the first year with a salary cap set below $9.5 million. 

In contrast, the league has proposed a system based on net revenue, which would give players over 70% of profits after expenses but would amount to less than 15% of gross revenue. The negotiations come as the league is set to enter a new, 11-year media deal worth a reported $2.2 billion.

At present, WNBA players receive between a 9% and 10% share of league revenues, with a reported salary cap of about $1.5 million per team. For context, the WNBA’s largest player contract, between the Dallas Wings and guard Arike Ogunbowale, is worth just under $726,000 over three years, according to Spotrac, which tracks player contracts.

The issue of housing also saw movement in the union's latest offer. While teams have been required to provide housing since 1999, the players proposed a phased approach. Under this plan, teams would continue providing housing for the first several years of the agreement, but would eventually be exempt from providing it for players on multiyear, protected contracts earning near the maximum salary. The league’s own recent proposal offered one-bedroom apartments for rookies and players on minimum salaries for only the first three years of the deal.

Despite these adjustments, a WNBA spokesperson stated late Tuesday that the union’s proposal remains "unrealistic" and claimed it would lead to $460 million in losses over the life of the agreement. The league emphasized that time is running out to complete free agency and the two upcoming drafts—one for expansion and one for college players—before training camp begins.

"We believe the WNBA’s proposal would result in a huge win for current players and generations to come," the spokesperson told ESPN late Tuesday. 

While both sides have reached alignment on non-economic issues—such as eliminating marijuana testing, codifying charter flights, and adding pregnant player trade consent—the financial structure remains the primary sticking point. The league’s current offer includes a $5.65 million salary cap for 2026, which would see average salaries rise to $540,000. However, the union remains firm on seeking a percentage of gross revenue rather than net revenue to ensure players benefit directly from the league's rising growth.