### WNBA Players Union and League Fail to Reach New CBA, Enter Status Quo The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and its players' union, the Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA), have failed to reach a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) by the January 9 deadline. This marks a significant moment in the league's history, as the previous CBA has now expired, leading to a "status-quo" period where existing terms will remain in effect while negotiations continue. The two sides have been unable to bridge substantial gaps on key issues, including salary structures and revenue sharing, despite multiple meetings leading up to the deadline [https://sports.yahoo.com/wnba/breaking-news/article/wnba-players-union-reach-friday-deadline-with-no-new-cba-reportedly-negotiating-free-agency-moratorium-204702437.html][https://abcnews.go.com/sports/wirestory/wnba-players-union-fail-reach-new-cba-negotiations-129077601]. ### Breakdown of the Current Situation 1. **CBA Expiration**: The previous CBA expired on January 9, 2026, without a new agreement in place, leading to a status-quo period [https://www.yardbarker.com/wnba/articles/wnba_cba_deadline_passes_without_agreement/s1_127_43311795]. 2. **Negotiation Stalemate**: Key issues such as salary and revenue sharing remain unresolved, with both sides reportedly far apart in their negotiations [https://www.whec.com/ap-top-news/wnba-and-players-union-fail-to-reach-new-cba-negotiations-continue-without-extension]. 3. **Impact on Teams**: The failure to reach a new CBA could have implications for teams, including the Portland Fire, as they navigate the uncertainty of player contracts and free agency [https://www.oregonlive.com/wnba/2026/01/wnba-and-players-union-fail-to-reach-new-cba-further-delaying-things-for-the-portland-fire.html]. 4. **Future Negotiations**: Despite the expiration of the CBA, negotiations will continue under the existing terms, with both parties expressing a commitment to finding a resolution [https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/sports/wnba/wnba-cba-deadline-status-quo-period/6441842]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Previous Extensions**: The WNBA and WNBPA had two prior extensions before the January 9 deadline, indicating ongoing negotiations but persistent disagreements on critical issues [https://www.whec.com/ap-top-news/wnba-and-players-union-fail-to-reach-new-cba-negotiations-continue-without-extension]. - **Key Issues**: Major points of contention include: - **Salary Structure**: Disparities in player compensation and salary caps. - **Revenue Sharing**: How league revenues are distributed among players and teams [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jan/10/wnba-players-union-cba-deadline-missed-revenue-sharing]. ### Conclusion and Implications In summary, the WNBA and its players' union have entered a critical juncture following the expiration of their CBA. The failure to reach a new agreement by the deadline has led to a status-quo period, where existing terms will remain in effect while negotiations continue. 1. **CBA Expiration**: The previous agreement has expired, leading to uncertainty in the league [https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/sports/wnba/wnba-cba-deadline-status-quo-period/6441842]. 2. **Negotiation Challenges**: Significant gaps remain on key issues, particularly salary and revenue sharing [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jan/10/wnba-players-union-cba-deadline-missed-revenue-sharing]. 3. **Future Outlook**: Ongoing negotiations will be crucial for the league's stability and the players' interests as they seek to resolve these issues [https://www.oregonlive.com/wnba/2026/01/wnba-and-players-union-fail-to-reach-new-cba-further-delaying-things-for-the-portland-fire.html]. The outcome of these negotiations will be pivotal for the future of the WNBA and its players.