The WNBA and its players' union have reached an agreement to commence free agency beginning Monday, marking a significant milestone following the recent ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement. The league announced the timeline Sunday evening, setting in motion a structured process that will shape team rosters for the upcoming season.
The free agency period will follow a carefully orchestrated schedule. Monday and Tuesday will serve as the designation period, during which teams will issue qualifying offers and designate core players. Negotiations between teams and free agents will open Wednesday and continue through Friday, with official signings permitted to begin Saturday.
This accelerated free agency timeline comes after both sides formally ratified the terms of a new CBA on March 25, just one week after reaching a verbal agreement on March 18. While the complete long-form document remains in development, the ratified terms have enabled the league to move forward with its offseason calendar.
The new collective bargaining agreement represents a transformative moment for the league, featuring substantial financial improvements for players. Over 100 WNBA athletes are set to enter free agency and will benefit from what sources describe as "massive salary bumps" included in the groundbreaking deal.
The free agency period precedes several key dates on the WNBA calendar. The annual draft is scheduled for April 13, followed by the opening of training camps on April 19. Preseason games will tip off on April 25, leading into the regular season opener on May 8.
This free agency period is expected to be one of the most active and consequential in league history, with players now having greater financial incentives and improved working conditions under the new agreement. The structured negotiation window allows teams and players to quickly establish contracts before attention turns to the draft and preseason preparations.
