WNBA Free Agency Put on Ice as CBA Stalemate Triggers Temporary Moratorium

WNBA free agency has been placed on hold after the league and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) agreed to temporarily pause league business amid ongoing collective bargaining negotiations.

According to sources cited by ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, both sides reached an agreement on Monday to implement a short-term moratorium, effectively freezing the early stages of free agency while talks over a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) continue.

The decision follows the expiration of the previous CBA after the league and players’ union failed to secure either a new agreement or an extension by Friday’s deadline. As a result, teams are now prohibited from issuing qualifying offers or applying core designations, two mechanisms that typically kick-start free agency activity.

With no deal in place, the moratorium halts all preliminary roster movement and delays key offseason decisions as negotiations stretch on.

Talks reach tense impasse

Both the league and the WNBPA acknowledge that discussions have reached a difficult and strained phase. Negotiations have been ongoing for more than a year and have already required multiple extensions. The most recent extension pushed the deadline from Nov. 30 to Jan. 9, but that window closed without an agreement.

The CBA officially expired at 11:59 p.m. ET on Jan. 10, placing the league in a legally defined “status quo” period under U.S. labor law. During this time, the terms of the previous agreement remain in effect, but either side retains the right to initiate a lockout or strike without advance notice.

While both parties have indicated that they expect the 2026 season to proceed as scheduled, the current uncertainty has introduced significant tension into the offseason.

Moratorium discussed ahead of deadline

The possibility of a moratorium had been circulating in the days leading up to the CBA expiration. Sources told ESPN that league officials and union representatives were open to temporarily suspending free agency-related transactions to prevent further complications while negotiations continued.

Importantly, the moratorium was discussed separately from formal CBA talks, serving as a practical solution to avoid chaos during a critical period of the offseason. With free agency approaching and no labor deal finalized, concerns grew that unresolved issues could disrupt league operations and player planning.

Those concerns were made public by the WNBPA in a strongly worded statement released Friday night.

“At midnight, the 2020 WNBA-WNBPA Collective Bargaining Agreement will expire,” the union said. “Despite demonstrating our willingness to compromise in order to get a deal done, the WNBA and its teams have failed to meet us at the table with the same spirit and seriousness.”

The union accused the league of undervaluing players’ contributions, minimizing player concerns, and intentionally delaying progress. It also warned that prolonged uncertainty could threaten players’ livelihoods.

League responds as negotiations continue

Shortly after the expiration of the agreement, the WNBA released its own statement acknowledging the lapse and emphasizing that negotiations remain active.

“Our priority is a deal that significantly increases player salaries, enhances the overall player experience, and supports the long-term growth of the league,” the league said.

While that statement aimed to reassure players and fans alike, the lack of immediate progress has left the league in a holding pattern.

The newly implemented moratorium means that free agency will remain paused until meaningful progress is achieved at the bargaining table. Teams cannot make formal moves, and players are left waiting as negotiations continue behind closed doors.

What comes next

Although the “status quo” period allows the league to operate under the terms of the previous CBA for now, the situation remains fragile. Without a new agreement, the threat of labor action — whether a strike or lockout — looms in the background.

For now, both sides appear committed to continued dialogue, but the pause in free agency underscores just how delicate the moment has become. Until a breakthrough is reached, the WNBA offseason will remain in limbo, with players, teams, and fans watching closely for the next development.