WNBA fans, mark your calendars for March 10th. That's a key deadline that could determine when the teams actually hit the court.

If the league and players can’t shake hands on a new collective bargaining agreement, or CBA, by next Tuesday, the 2026 season could be delayed.

The Seattle Storm's Nneka Ogwumike is president of the WNBA players' union, and she's led the union as labor negotiations have progressed for over a year. The two sides are months past their original deadline for a deal.  

We talk about the key issues driving bargaining with a reporter covering the league. 

Guest

Sabreena Merchant, staff writer, The Athletic 

Related Links

WNBA’s new CBA offer boosts pay, fast-tracks max deals for stars like Caitlin Clark, AP source says - The Associated Press

Kelsey Plum sees WNBA's offer as a 'win,' but CBA talks continue - ESPN

What a March CBA deal would mean for WNBA free agency, expansion and the draft - The Athletic

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

WNBA fans, mark your calendars for March 10th. <a href="https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/48017494/sources-wnba-sets-cba-deadline-keep-2026-schedule-intact">That's a key deadline</a> that could determine when the teams actually hit the court.
If the league and players can&rsquo;t shake hands on a new collective bargaining agreement, or CBA, by next Tuesday, the 2026 season could be delayed.
The Seattle Storm's Nneka Ogwumike is president of the WNBA players' union, and she's led the union as labor negotiations have progressed for over a year. The two sides are months past their original deadline for a deal. &nbsp;
We talk about the key issues driving bargaining with a reporter covering the league.&nbsp;
Guest <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/sabreenajm.bsky.social">Sabreena Merchant</a>, staff writer, The Athletic&nbsp; Related Links <a href="https://apnews.com/article/wnba-cba-d4306962d1aa5eeb07a10dedea5fa90c">WNBA&rsquo;s new CBA offer boosts pay, fast-tracks max deals for stars like Caitlin Clark, AP source says</a> - The Associated Press <a href="https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/48082027/union-sees-wnba-offer-win-cba-talks-continue">Kelsey Plum sees WNBA's offer as a 'win,' but CBA talks continue</a> - ESPN
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7071517/2026/02/26/wnba-cba-agreement-spring-free-agency-expansion-draft-camp/">What a March CBA deal would mean for WNBA free agency, expansion and the draft</a> - The Athletic Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a> Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

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As new fans flock to the WNBA, the players and the league are still working out a new deal for the upcoming season.