WNBA CBA Extension Puts Dallas Wings’ Offseason Plans On Hold

Grant AfsethDecember 1, 2025December 1, 2025no comment

Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images

The WNBA and the players union extended negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement to Jan. 9, reaching the deal just before Sunday’s midnight deadline and avoiding an immediate pause in league operations.

The league detailed the terms of the agreement in an official statement:

“The WNBA and WNBPA have agreed to extend the current collective bargaining agreement through January 9, 2026, with either party having the option to terminate the extension with 48 hours’ advance notice. The WNBA and WNBPA are continuing to work toward a new agreement.”

The extension — a six-week window originally proposed by the WNBPA — gives both sides additional time to resolve longstanding disputes around compensation, revenue sharing and working conditions.

Key Issues Still Unresolved as Negotiations Continue

Negotiations have stretched across the past month, with both sides exchanging revised proposals. Earlier in December, the league submitted a framework that included revenue sharing and a maximum salary exceeding $1.1 million for multiple players per roster. The union has continued to push for a model in which the salary cap grows directly with league revenues, mirroring the NBA’s structure.

Beyond salaries, discussions have also included expanded retirement benefits, league-wide charter travel, and minimum standards for team facilities — all areas players consider essential to long-term growth.

The timing of the extension impacts what was already expected to be the most unpredictable free-agency class in league history. Nearly every veteran played on a one-year deal this past season, anticipating a new CBA with substantial compensation increases. Free agency typically accelerates in late January, but that schedule is now dependent on the pace of negotiations.

While both sides retain the ability to end the extension with 48 hours’ notice, league observers consider the immediate use of that clause unlikely. Still, major offseason events — most notably the expansion drafts for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo — cannot proceed until a finalized CBA is in place. Last season, the Golden State Valkyries held their expansion draft in early December, a timeline that is no longer feasible this year.

Dallas Wings Face Compressed Timeline With Key Decisions Ahead

For the Dallas Wings, the extension places significant offseason planning on hold. The franchise holds the No. 1 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, is transitioning under a new head coach, and has one of the league’s strongest young foundations — but all roster decisions hinge on when a new CBA is completed.

The team also remains unable to strategize its protected-player list for the 2026 expansion draft. During the Golden State Valkyries’ draft, organizations were permitted to protect six players with fully held contract rights. Ahead of the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo making selections in an expansion draft, guidelines for the 2026 expansion draft have not been provided, and no direction is expected until negotiations conclude.

Dallas currently has several players under contract for 2026 and beyond, featuring
Paige Bueckers, Aziaha James, Diamond Miller, JJ Quinerly, and Maddy Siegrist.

The Wings also maintain reserved or suspended rights to the following players, including
Grace Berger, Luisa Geiselsöder, Haley Jones, Awak Kuier, Lou Lopez Sénéchal, and Li Yueru.

Three key contributors — Arike Ogunbowale, Myisha Hines-Allen, and Tyasha Harris — will enter unrestricted free agency. Ogunbowale remains the team’s highest-paid player under contract for 2025 at $249,032, according to Her Hoop Stats.

The Wings are also awaiting clarity on the timing of the 2026 WNBA Draft. The event traditionally takes place in April but cannot be scheduled until a new CBA is ratified. With the league’s No. 1 pick and potentially major roster turnover on the horizon, Dallas could face a significantly condensed offseason.

Next Steps as Jan. 9 Approaches

If the league and union reach the Jan. 9 deadline without a finalized deal, a short-term “status quo” period could allow negotiations to continue while current working conditions remain in place. That framework was used during the 2019–20 cycle before a new agreement was ultimately completed.

For now, the Wings — like the rest of the league — remain in wait-and-see mode. With a promising core, major free-agency decisions pending and the top pick in the 2026 draft, Dallas is preparing for one of the tightest and most consequential offseasons in franchise history.

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Grant Afseth

Senior Writer

Grant Afseth is a Senior Writer for DallasHoopsJournal.com, where he leads in-depth coverage of the Mavericks, Wings, and more. Between a focus on the latest news, closer looks at games, front office strategy, and more, Afseth provides objective coverage. Afseth contributes broader NBA coverage across platforms and has been cited in national outlets for his reporting and analysis. With nearly a decade of journalism experience, Afseth has covered the NBA and WNBA for multiple major outlets, including Athlon Sports, BallIsLife, Sportskeeda, and RG.org. He previously reported on the Indiana Pacers for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and the Mavericks for FanNation.

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