WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert confident a new CBA will be reached—even if after October
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert is expressing confidence that a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the league and the players’ union will eventually come to fruition, even if it surfaces after the current October 31 deadline. Though the two sides currently stand at a considerable distance in their negotiations following their first in-person meeting since last December—attended by over 40 players—Engelbert remains hopeful that a resolution is on the horizon.
In remarks made shortly before the WNBA All-Star Game on Saturday night, Engelbert emphasized her upbeat outlook: “I’m still really optimistic that we’ll get something done that would be transformational,” she said. She added that ideally by next year’s All-Star Game, everybody would be celebrating how terrific the new agreement is. “Obviously, there’s a lot of hard work to be done on both sides to get there,” she acknowledged, noting that additional negotiation sessions have already been scheduled.
The league’s current CBA is set to expire on October 31, after the conclusion of this season. While Engelbert said she believes a new deal can be finalized by then, she avoided pinning down an exact date. Instead, she signaled willingness to extend talks a bit beyond the deadline if significant progress is being made. “I have confidence we can get something done by October,” she remarked, “but I’m not going to put an exact date on it. We’ve got some room to continue negotiations if we’re close at that point.”
Expanding revenue and rising stakes
Engelbert highlighted the influx of new revenue into the league and how it supports players’ top priorities—significantly higher salaries and the institution of a revenue-sharing model. A landmark 11-year media rights contract worth over $2.2 billion has recently been announced, and three expansion franchises each paid an impressive $250 million in fees. On top of that, a wave of new sponsorship deals is further strengthening the league’s financial position.
The players’ union has made it clear: higher pay and greater revenue sharing are top priorities. Engelbert affirmed that the league shares those goals. “We’re going to do something transformational here because we want the same things as the players,” she explained. “But we want to significantly increase their salary and benefits while balancing that with our owners, their ability to have a path to profitability, as well as to continued investment.”
Additional priorities: Global growth, officiating, and scheduling
Beyond compensation and shared revenue, Engelbert addressed three other key operational areas:
1. Global expansion
Engelbert stressed ambitions to grow the WNBA’s footprint internationally. Next season, the league will launch its first non‑U.S. city franchise—the Toronto Tempo—opening the door to fans and markets beyond American borders. She underscored the league’s interest in bolstering exposure in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. “I think we’re really strong domestically now… There’s a huge amount of possibilities, to turn these players into a global household name—being stars that they’ve now become here in the United States domestically,” she said.
2. Officiating consistency
The consistency of refereeing has become a frequent concern from both players and coaches this season. Engelbert said the league is taking those concerns seriously. She noted that officials are under independent evaluation, and there are defined consequences if performance standards are not met. “I realize consistency is the name of the game,” she said. “It’s something we definitely need to look at and evaluate… As our game evolves so does our officiating, so we’re on it.”
3. Season scheduling
Engelbert also discussed potential tweaks to the season’s schedule. Because the WNBA season currently overlaps with the NCAA Tournament, the league can’t begin earlier in the spring—but it could realistically extend further into the fall. She flagged the possibility of pushing the season into early November. There’s real momentum behind this idea ahead of the next season, especially given the scheduling complications posed by the FIBA World Cup, which takes place in early September. “We’re looking at what’s the best footprint, what’s the best number of games?” Engelbert explained, signaling the league’s openness to adapting its calendar.
In-depth exploration: Where things currently stand
Since the expiration date of the existing CBA is looming, the pressure is mounting. The in-person negotiation that recently took place—marked by the presence of over 40 WNBA players—was a significant first step. It underscored the urgency both sides feel about finding common ground. Still, the fact that they came out of that session “far apart” illustrates just how significant the issues at stake are.
Yet Engelbert’s demeanor is emblematic of cautious optimism. She is confident in the league’s ability to forge an agreement that will not just meet, but potentially exceed, the aspirations of players. By emphasizing shared goals—better compensation, stronger financial returns for owners, global reach—she is positioning the deal as a win-win scenario.
Negotiations ahead will undoubtedly focus on three central pillars:
1. Player compensation: The union seeks sharp salary increases to reflect the increasing revenues the league is generating. Engelbert responded to that pressure by pointing to the league’s bolstered financial footing—a strategic acknowledgment meant to reassure players that the funds exist to support them.
2. Revenue sharing: While players want a slice of the growing income, owners also need to protect their bottom lines and maintain the capacity for reinvestment. It’s a balancing act that Engelbert said the league is determined to handle thoughtfully—one that, if done right, could transform the relationship between players and owners.
3. Strategic growth: Beyond dollars and cents, the broader goal is long-term viability and expansion. Global presence, better officiating, and calendar flexibility are all part of that broader strategy. A more coherent, internationally aware, and professionally run league boosts both on-court performance and marketing potential.
Why this matters: A deeper dive
To fully understand why this CBA is so important—and why both sides seem locked in a standoff—it helps to see the backdrop:
Media rights windfall: The $2.2 billion media deal doesn’t just represent stability—it signals growth. It gives the league bargaining chips in salary talks and a stronger platform for expanding its brand nationally and globally.
High-stakes expansion: The sudden jump of three new franchises, each paying a quarter-billion dollars just to enter the league, sends a visceral message: investors see opportunity here. They expect growth, profitability, and returns—heightening pressure on everyone to deliver.
Player empowerment: WNBA athletes today enjoy rising stardom, not only through domestic success but also via international tournaments, overseas contracts, and social media. They’ve become public figures who see their league’s rising profile as a gateway to bigger paydays and platforms. A stifled deal may fracture some goodwill. Conversely, a transformative agreement could become a model for other women’s sports.
Global ambition: Launching a franchise outside the U.S.—in Toronto—has symbolic and strategic value. It’s the first step toward turning the WNBA into a genuinely global league. When combined with an improved CBA, it could attract better talent, wider broadcast deals, and more enthusiastic fans.
Detailed look at the three new agenda items
A. Globalization plans
Engelbert expressed excitement about the league’s expansion into Canada via the Toronto Tempo. That’s just the beginning. She believes that attention should also pivot toward Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Each of those regions presents unique opportunities:
Europe has a well-established professional hoop infrastructure and a passionate fan base for elite women’s basketball—making it fertile territory for WNBA branding.
Asia, especially China and South Korea, has shown both on-court talent and commercial appetite for top-tier women’s hoop.
The Middle East and Africa are rapidly growing markets for basketball in general, with rising youth participation and sponsorship potential. Introducing WNBA programming there could fast-track regional growth.
Engelbert stressed that turning WNBA athletes into international household names isn’t just wishful thinking—it’s a strategic move toward financial sustainability and cultural influence. When fans abroad recognize and follow individual players, that translates into more merchandise sales, broadcast revenue, and goodwill.
B. Improving officiating
Refereeing consistency is not glamorous, but it’s essential. If calls on the court seem erratic or biased, it undermines the integrity of games and alienates fans. Thus, the WNBA has some mechanisms in place:
An external evaluation system regularly grades officiating performances.
Officials are held accountable, with the threat of discipline if standards slip.
The league is prepared to adapt officiating styles and guidelines as the on-court play evolves—especially as athletes grow faster, stronger, and more skilled.
That engagement tells players and viewers that the league takes the issue seriously—and that solutions will be sought, not ignored.
C. Season scheduling adjustments
Currently, the WNBA season clashes with the NCAA Tournament, limiting how early the league can start. But given the growing global calendar, there’s both room and need to adjust:
Extending the season into early November would help avoid scheduling overlaps—especially with major international events like the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, which occurs in early September.
That shift could also yield more regular-season games after the college season concludes, giving fans more to watch and players more chances to compete—while giving the league more inventory to sell, whether to broadcasters, sponsors, or ticket-buyers.
Engelbert described this as part of a broader conversation on “what’s the best footprint, what’s the best number of games,” suggesting that flexibility—and experimentation—might be in the cards.
Potential hurdles & considerations
Despite all the rosy talk, several challenges lie ahead:
Negotiation friction: Though both sides agree on fundamentals (better pay, more transparency, global growth), they are still “far apart” on the details. Key sticking points may include how much of the new $2.2 billion media deal goes to players, how revenue splits are structured, and how the costs of global expansion are shared.
Potential deadline overrun: The October 31 CBA expiry is looming. If the sides are “close” but not quite there, it would require extension or interim measures. Engelbert left the door open for that—but agreements beyond formal deadlines can lead to awkward postseason situations, uncertainty, or even stakeholder concerns.
Balancing ownership vs. player priorities: The league must tread carefully to ensure the owners still find the business attractive. Overpaying players morning unfair burdens and could curb investment. But under-delivering could stunt the league’s momentum and provoke player dissatisfaction—potentially leading to strikes or lockouts.
Operational complexity: Globalization, extended schedules, and expanded officiating protocols mean more logistical work—time-zone coordination, travel scheduling, rule harmonization, fairness in officiating across jurisdictions. All of it has financial and operational costs.
Why now, and what next?
This moment feels pivotal for the WNBA. Multiple converging factors are shaping a “now or never” scenario:
1. Big money deals: The huge media and expansion fees provide both impetus and resources.
2. Cultural appetite: Interest in women’s sports is expanding. Viewership numbers, sponsorships, and social media engagement are trending upward.
3. Globalizing sports lounges: Basketball’s popularity around the world—especially in women’s leagues—is at a high point. The league wants a first-mover advantage.
4. Player leverage: Athletes in the WNBA today wield more public influence than ever before. They’re not just sportspeople; they’re brand ambassadors, activists, and influencers.
What comes next:
More negotiation sessions, of course—with Engelbert underscoring that they are happening.
The league will continue refining global expansion strategies—planning around new franchises and international marketing pushes.
Officiating reviews will remain ongoing, with possible rule clarifications and referee training programs to boost consistency.
Conversations around extending the season footprint and game counts will continue—especially in light of the FIBA World Cup schedule and growing bargaining momentum.
Bottom line
Cathy Engelbert is laying the groundwork for what she hopes will be a breakthrough agreement—one that dramatically improves player compensation, introduces revenue sharing, expands the league’s reach globally, enhances officiating quality, and optimizes scheduling. Although the union and the owners are reportedly far apart at present, Engelbert is optimistic: she believes both sides share essential goals and that, given continued dialogue and an openness to flexible timing (beyond the October 31 deadline, if necessary), a game-changing agreement can be achieved.
By this time next year, she hopes, the WNBA community—players, fans, sponsors, media—will be celebrating the positive outcomes of this work: better-paid athletes, a more globally recognized league, more games, and fairer officiating. And that vision, she argues, is within reach.
Outlook: What to look for next
As negotiations proceed, here’s what’s worth watching:
Interim extensions or temporary deals: Will teams operate under interim terms if the deadline passes?
Salary and revenue details: Will salaries jump significantly? How will new revenue streams be divided?
Expansion updates: Is Toronto Tempo confirmed? Any other cities in the pipeline?
Global initiatives: Are there formal partnerships or broadcasts planned for Europe, Asia, Africa, or the Middle East?
Officiating changes: Are new guidelines or referee hires forthcoming?
Season calendar shifts: Will the WNBA push deeper into October and November? How will that affect players’ international commitments?
The next few months will be critical. If Engelbert and the players can bridge their differences, the eventual outcome could mark a transformative step in the evolution of women’s professional basketball.
Final thought: The WNBA stands at an inflection point—bolstered by major financial deals, rising public interest, and empowered players. The immediate task is negotiating a CBA that reflects this momentum, balancing aspirational growth with practical viability. Commissioner Engelbert believes the stars are aligned—and that, with sustained negotiation and strategic flexibility, a historic agreement is within reach.
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