Longer Seasons Incoming For WNBA, Seattle Storm Fans
Longer WNBA seasons are on the near horizon for Seattle Storm basketball fans.
The WNBA board of governors unanimously ratified the new collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players union on Tuesday, per the Associated Press, leaving just the long-form document to be written up before the agreement is finalized.
Included in the new CBA, in addition to the landmark increases in salaries for players, is the framework for substantially longer seasons, per ESPN’s Alexa Philippou and Kendra Andrews.
What Historic New WNBA CBA Means For 2026 Seattle Storm
Play ball. After weeks of intense negotiations, the WNBA and the WNBPA verbally agreed to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement early in the morning on Wednesday that will completely reshape player compensation, per ESPN’s Alexa Philipou.
The new salary cap will be set at $7 million, a massive increase from $1.5 million in 2025, with the supermax starting at $1.4 million ($249,244 last season), per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Average player salaries will be around $600,000 ($120,000 last season), and the minimum salary could be higher than $300,000 ($66,079 last season). All of that, coupled with a revenue share of “nearly 20% across the length of the deal,” per Philippou, makes for a historic deal.
Storm’s Nneka Ogwumike Spearheading Tense WNBA CBA Negotiations Now in 11th Hour
As more deadlines continue to be dealt out by the WNBA, it seems the league and its players union are getting closer to an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement.
Monday is the new deadline the league set to avoid any impacts on the 2026 season, per ESPN’s Alexa Philippou, and Seattle Storm forward and WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike is at the forefront of the negotiations as they enter their 11th hour.
Ogwumike said Saturday that revenue sharing and team-funded housing were among the major items that are still being worked on, per Doug Feinberg of the Associated Press. Negotiations have been especially hot this week to try to meet the league’s original March 10 deadline to not impact the season.
Malonga, Quinn Fall Short of Unrivaled Championship in Loss to Mist
Dominique Malonga and Noelle Quinn’s Breeze lost to the Mist in the Unrivaled semifinals on Monday, March 2, but the 20-year-old Seattle Storm star once again proved why she will soon be one of the best players in the WNBA, possibly as soon as next season.
The Breeze lost 73-69, falling one win short of the Unrivaled championship. Malonga finished with a team-high 18 points (9 of 14 shooting), 14 rebounds, two assists and two blocks. It was Malonga’s third-straight double-double, second in the playoffs and ninth of the season.
Dominique Malonga, Former Storm Coach 1 Win Away From Unrivaled Championship Appearance
Seattle Storm star Dominique Malonga and former franchise head coach Noelle Quinn are one win away from reaching the Unrivaled championship.
Malonga and Quinn’s Breeze handily beat the Rose 69-50 on Saturday, Feb. 28, to advance to the semifinals. The duo of Malonga, the 2025 WNBA No. 2 overall pick, and Paige Bueckers, the first pick, have been dominant in Unrivaled this season.
WNBA Sets CBA Deadline to Avoid Impacts on 2026 Season
The clock is ticking on a new collective bargaining agreement between the WNBA and WNBPA after the league notified its teams that a new deal must be struck by March 10 to not impact the 2026 season, per ESPN’s Alexa Philippou.
That deadline was delivered in a Monday morning meeting between league staff, the league’s labor relations committee, team owners and 50 players, per Philippou — the second meeting this month between all parties involved.
What to Know About Storm’s Newest Assistant Coaches
More than three months after being hired, Seattle Storm head coach Sonia Raman has assembled her coaching staff for the 2026 season.
The Storm announced that they hired Natalie Achonwa, Jarell Christian and Michael Joiner, completing what will be an entirely new staff under Raman after the franchise parted ways with former head coach Noelle Quinn.
In an offseason that still holds an incredible amount of uncertainty, the Storm nearly have all their ducks in a row before the WNBA Draft in April. Now, they just have to wait and see what happens with the CBA, the expansion drafts and free agency before finalizing a draft plan.
Here’s what you should know about all three of the Storm’s newest coaches.
Storm Announce Pair of 2026 Preseason Games
The fate of the 2026 WNBA season remains up in the air, but the Seattle Storm announced their pair of preseason games that begin on Saturday, April 25.
Seattle will travel to the Golden State Valkyries for a 5:30 PM PT game that Saturday before coming back home to host the Portland Fire at 7 PM on Wednesday, April 29. That will be the Fire’s first-ever WNBA game.
Storm’s Gabby Williams Nominated For Seattle Women’s Sports Star of the Year
Following a stellar 2025 season that resulted in the first All-Star and All-Defensive First Team nods of her career, Seattle Storm wing Gabby Williams has been nominated for the Seattle Women’s Sports Star of the Year award.
The Seattle Sports Commission organizes the award, and there are six total nominees. Past Storm winners include Jewell Lloyd (2023), Breanna Stewart (2018), Anne Donovan (2004), Lauren Jackson (2003) and Sue Bird (2002).
WNBA, WNBPA Finally Meeting In-Person To Discuss CBA
An in-person meeting between player representatives and the WNBA is set for Monday in New York. It could be the step they need to make sure the 2026 season begins on time.
Storm Roundup: Dominique Malonga Highlights Week With Unrivaled Dunk
Getting deep into the WNBA offseason, 2025 Storm players are still balling out in other leagues both locally and overseas.
Storm Reveal 2026 Regular Season Schedule
If the 2026 WNBA season begins on time, the Seattle Storm will host the Golden State Valkyries in their season opener on Friday, May 8.
Where are Storm’s Cut 2025 Draft Picks Now?
Since being released by the Seattle Storm in May, all three of their cut draft picks have gone on to play basketball elsewhere. Here’s where they’ve been in 2025-26.
What WNBA, WNBPA’s Moratorium on Business Means For Seattle Storm
The WNBA and WNBPA agreed to a moratorium on league business, ending the potential for any contracts to be negotiated under the expiring CBA. How does it impact the Seattle Storm now?
Dominique Malonga Wins Unrivaled Battle of Storm Stars vs. Ezi Magbegor
Seattle Storm star Dominique Malonga and the Breeze defeated Ezi Magbegor and the Hive on Friday, while being led by former franchise head coach Noelle Quinn.
Reunion Between Storm’s Dominique Malonga, Former Coach Noelle Quinn Yields Early Returns
In their first game back together in the Unrivaled basketball league, the Seattle Storm’s youngest star and its most recently fired head coach earned a big win.
How Does Storm’s Franchise Value Stack Up to Other WNBA Teams?
The Seattle Storm are one of the top-5 most valuable women’s sports franchises in the world heading into critical CBA negotiations during the 2026 offseason.
Storm’s Mackenzie Holmes Dominating WNBL During Offseason
After a slow rookie season with the Seattle Storm, Mackenzie Holmes is putting together an MVP-caliber season with the Geelong Venom in the WNBL.
Jordan Horston Will Be Key Difference Maker For Storm in 2026
After a solid 2024, Storm forward Jordan Horston missed the entire 2025 season due to a torn ACL. She will be critical to the team’s success next season.
What to Know About Storm’s Assistant Coach Hire
The Seattle Storm reportedly hired Maine Celtics general manager Jarell Christian as an assistant coach. Here’s a look at his experience in the NBA and college ranks on his way to landing with the Storm.
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