Three months away since the current Collected Bargain Agreement expired and a new contract is still in the works. Extensions and strikes are the reason why the league and WNBPA cannot decide on an agreement for the upcoming season.
Lockout is not the option but with the release of the upcoming schedule the brand is making a positive move that the CBA is expected to be complete.
The WNBA announced the 2026 schedule celebrating the league’s 30th anniversary last week. The season will tip May 8th featuring a marquee matchup between Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings traveling to Indiana against Caitlin Clark. New expansion teams Toronto Tempo and the return of the Portland Fire open the season at home.
Other games will feature a championship rematch between the Phoenix Mercury and the Las Vegas Aces on May 9. The 6th annual Commissioner Cup will tip off between June 1 and June 17 with the championship game on June 30th. All-Star weekend returns to Chicago on July 24-25.
The released schedule gives fans a preview of what’s to come but with the CBA not complete, how does this affect the timing of the expansion draft, free agency, college draft and training camp.
Without a renewed contract, the WNBA is unable to operate. The CBA offers the players’ payment, provides housing, revenue benefits and maternity leave. Over the past months, the league and player association have not seen eye to eye with the contact which could force the season to be pushed back.
New expansion teams Toronto and Portland could be affected from building their teams and limiting their chances of making the playoffs. The expectations of both teams could hold the success for the next few years. The Tempo already planned games in Vancouver and Montreal to expand their fan base.
Players who are not on rookie contracts will be unrestricted free agency with no time to decide on where they want to play this summer. Almost every player is unrestricted which means that no team is safe. The longer it takes the contract to be complete, the less amount of time players can negotiate with franchises.
Notable free agents are highlighted by Breanna Stweart, A’ja Wilson, Sabrina Ioncesu, Alyssa Thomas and many other all-stars. This season’s free agency could certainly build teams towards postseason runs or remain the same. No matter where these players end up, every team is capable of improving from last season.
The break between draft day, training camp and season tip off limits the timeline for teams to make roster cuts and build chemistry. College players who are draft eligible will be forced to make an early decision on whether they get drafted while still playing in the NCAA tournament.
College players are more dedicated to finishing their college careers first, then making the decisions to be drafted if they still have no eligibility. The WNBA is setting these athletes up to participate in the draft and leave their teams even though the CBA is unfinished.
The league releasing the schedule does not guarantee that the season will tip off in time but it’s a general business move for revenues to schedule games that will not interfere with other special events. The season is far from beginning now that the agreement has not been resolved and fans are not ready for the bad news.
The timeline from now to May depends on if the league is set to decide on the agreement sooner than later or if the organization is rushing to start the season. The completion of the CBA is on the line whether the season is here or put on hold.
