What Happened to Women's National Basketball Association?
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years, marked by a landmark $2.2 billion media rights deal, significant expansion plans to 18 teams by 2030, and surging viewership and attendance. As of March 2026, the league is at a critical juncture, with ongoing collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations between the league and its players threatening to delay the upcoming season.
Quick Answer
The WNBA has seen a dramatic resurgence and growth, securing an 11-year, $2.2 billion media rights deal starting in 2026 and expanding its league to include the Golden State Valkyries (2025), Toronto Tempo, and Portland Fire (2026), with plans for Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia by 2030. However, as of March 11, 2026, the league is embroiled in contentious collective bargaining agreement negotiations with the players' union over revenue sharing and player benefits, with a league-imposed deadline having passed and the potential for a delayed 2026 season looming.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
WNBA Founded by NBA
The National Basketball Association's Board of Governors officially approved the concept of the Women's National Basketball Association, establishing it as the women's counterpart to the NBA.
Inaugural WNBA Season Begins
The WNBA commenced its first season with eight original teams, with the first game played between the New York Liberty and the Los Angeles Sparks, televised nationally on NBC.
American Basketball League (ABL) Folds
The WNBA became the sole professional women's basketball league in the U.S. after its competitor, the American Basketball League (ABL), ceased operations after 2.5 seasons.
First Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Signed
The WNBA and the players association signed the league's first collective bargaining agreement, a crucial step for player rights and league structure.
Shift Towards Independent Ownership Begins
The league began a significant transition towards independent ownership, with teams being sold to local owners rather than being directly operated by NBA counterparts.
New CBA Approved, Improving Player Benefits
A new collective bargaining agreement was approved, securing significant benefits for players, including paid maternity leaves, salary increases, and improved travel accommodations.
Golden State Valkyries Announced as 13th Team
The WNBA announced an expansion team for the San Francisco Bay Area, the Golden State Valkyries, which began play in the 2025 season, marking the league's first expansion since 2008.
Toronto Tempo Franchise Announced
The league announced that the Kilmer Group had acquired a franchise based in Toronto, named the Toronto Tempo, which is set to debut in the 2026 season.
Landmark $2.2 Billion Media Rights Deal Announced
The WNBA unveiled an 11-year media rights agreement with The Walt Disney Company, Amazon Prime Video, and NBCUniversal, valued at $2.2 billion ($200 million annually), effective from the 2026 season.
WNBPA Opts Out of Current CBA
The Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) opted out of the existing collective bargaining agreement, which was originally set to expire in 2027, signaling a push for a new deal reflecting the league's growth.
WNBA Announces Expansion to 18 Teams by 2030
The WNBA announced a major expansion plan to reach 18 teams by 2030, adding new franchises in Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029), and Philadelphia (2030), reflecting significant growth and demand.
2025 Season Viewership Increases Despite Star Absence
The 2025 WNBA season averaged 969,000 viewers across ESPN networks, Ion, and CBS, marking a 3% increase from the previous year, even with Caitlin Clark's absence for much of the season.
CBA Deadline Passes Without Agreement
A league-imposed deadline for a handshake agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement passed without a deal, raising concerns about a potential delay to the 2026 WNBA season.
Marathon CBA Negotiations Continue
Marathon negotiations between the WNBA and the WNBPA continued past midnight, following the missed March 10 deadline, as both sides work to resolve differences over revenue sharing and player benefits.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), founded on April 24, 1996, by the National Basketball Association (NBA), has evolved from a nascent league into a prominent force in professional sports. Its inaugural season in 1997, featuring eight teams, laid the groundwork for what would become the premier women's professional basketball league globally. Early years saw the league navigate challenges, including the folding of its competitor, the American Basketball League (ABL), in 1998, solidifying the WNBA's position as the sole major women's professional basketball league in the U.S.. A significant turning point came in the early 2000s with the shift towards independent ownership, moving away from direct NBA team operation, which allowed for more localized investment and growth.
The 2020s have marked a period of unprecedented acceleration for the WNBA. A new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) approved in January 2020 significantly improved player benefits, including paid maternity leave, salary increases, and enhanced travel accommodations, fostering greater player satisfaction and stability. This era has been characterized by a surge in popularity, driven by a new generation of star players, increased media attention, and the league's vocal advocacy for social justice. The 2024 season, in particular, saw historic growth with total viewership reaching over 54 million across various platforms and attendance increasing by 48% from the previous season.
A monumental development occurred on July 24, 2024, when the WNBA announced a landmark 11-year media rights agreement with The Walt Disney Company, Amazon Prime Video, and NBCUniversal, valued at an estimated $2.2 billion, or $200 million per season, beginning with the 2026 season. This deal represents more than three times the value of the previous agreement and significantly expands the league's broadcast reach, guaranteeing over 125 national games annually. This financial injection is expected to further fuel the league's growth and visibility.
In tandem with its media success, the WNBA has embarked on ambitious expansion plans. The Golden State Valkyries were announced as the 13th team in October 2023, debuting in 2025. Further expansion was announced in May 2024 with a Toronto-based franchise, the Toronto Tempo, and the Portland Fire set to join in 2026, bringing the league to 15 teams. On June 30, 2025, the WNBA unveiled plans to expand to 18 teams by 2030, adding new franchises in Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029), and Philadelphia (2030), reflecting strong market demand and investor confidence.
However, as of March 11, 2026, the WNBA faces a critical challenge: ongoing and contentious negotiations for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA). The WNBPA opted out of the previous CBA in October 2024, seeking a deal that better reflects the league's burgeoning revenue and player value. The primary sticking point is revenue sharing, with players advocating for a 26% share of gross revenue, while the league has counter-offered a model based on less than 15% of net revenue. A league-imposed deadline of March 10, 2026, for a handshake agreement to avoid delaying the 2026 season passed without a resolution. Marathon talks between the league and the union continued into the early hours of March 11, with both sides acknowledging progress but significant work remaining. The outcome of these negotiations will profoundly impact player salaries, benefits, and the overall trajectory of the WNBA's continued growth and stability.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Women's National Basketball Association made different choices?