WNBPA Sends Ultimatum to Cathy Engelbert and WNBA Office After Back-and-Forth Over Extension

The WNBA and WNBPA are heading for another extension once the current deadline expires. The negotiations between the two sides remain far apart despite Cathy Engelbert and the league's latest offer. The players' union remains adamant about what they want to see in the new CBA. According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, the WNBA wanted a six-week extension to prevent a possible work stoppage that could affect the growth of the league. The WNBPA, on the other hand, reportedly proposed a 24-hour extension window to get things done.The two sides initially contemplated a 21-day extension before agreeing on the league's six-week proposal. The new extension has a deadline of Jan. 9, 2026, though there's an option to terminate it with 48 hours of advance notice. According to Front Office Sports, the negotiations continue to hit a snag because of disagreements in the current salary model. The current WNBA proposal on the table, which was presented last week, will include a maximum salary of more than $1 million. It could even reach more based on revenue sharing and supermax base salaries. However, the WNBPA wants an improved salary model, as well as better benefits like better charter travel, better working conditions and standards for all teams and a guaranteed percentage of all basketball-related income. Other issues that will be tackled under the new CBA are age requirements for the draft, expanded roster sizes and improved core designation rules. WNBA Expansion Draft remains without a dateMonica Wright Rogers is the general manager of the Toronto Tempo. (Photo: GETTY)The WNBA is set to expand next season with the inaugural season of two new franchises: the Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo. The Fire hired Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Alex Sarama as their head coach, while the Tempo named former New York Liberty coach Sandy Brondello in charge. However, the two teams have no players on their roster. They are set to draft players, but the schedule of the event is still up in the air because of the ongoing CBA negotiations. The league can't set a date until a new agreement has been reached. The possibility of increased roster sizes will also affect the draft, so both the Fire and Tempo fanbases need to stay patient before knowing the bulk of their rosters. Nevertheless, the Tempo and Fire are set to draft sixth and seventh, respectively, in the 2026 WNBA Draft.