
How the new WNBA CBA transforms player pay
From Make Me Smart by Marketplace
May 7, 2026 · 19 min · Episode 1563
About this episode
The episode discusses the impact of the new WNBA collective bargaining agreement on player pay and the potential for women's basketball to maximize its earning potential.
The WNBA’s 30th season tips off tomorrow. This year, things look a lot different for players after the league and players union recently signed a landmark collective bargaining agreement (CBA). On today’s show, The Athletic’s Annie Costabile joins Kimberly to break down how the deal has transformed the way players are paid. Plus, has women’s basketball ever really been given the chance to maximize its earning potential?
People in this episode
Host: Kimberly
Guest: Annie Costabile
Topics covered
- WNBA
- player pay
- collective bargaining agreement
- women's basketball
- sports finance
Keywords
- WNBA
- CBA
- player pay
- women's basketball
- Annie Costabile
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: WNBA, The Athletic, players union
Books & works: collective bargaining agreement
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