Fresh off Caitlin Clark winning MVP at FIBA qualifiers, the WNBA, players, and fans celebrated Wednesday after securing a new collective bargaining agreement.
This agreement delivers major gains for players and promises an electrifying offseason.
With preparations for the new CBA underway, more than 100 players are set to become free agents, fueling widespread excitement.
How the WNBA World Is Reacting to a ‘Crazy’ Free Agency Period
Per ESPN’s report, the negotiations are over.
“We have aligned on key elements of a new collective bargaining agreement together,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert told reporters in New York around 3 a.m. ET Wednesday.
Echoing this sentiment, the WNBA world buzzed with excitement.
“The free agency signing period is going to be crazy,” longtime journalist Jemele Hill posted on X.
The free agency signing period is going to be crazy. https://t.co/6kMY4kMacE
“Buckle up,” wrote journalist Greydy Diaz, clearly excited about what free agency could do for the league.
Amid these reactions, Sports Illustrated writer Rosalina Lee underscored the significance of critical offseason dates as Toronto and Portland enter the league in 2026.
Two expansion drafts, free agency and the W draft all in a week 🤯 https://t.co/Kw1NWTgZUw
Looking further ahead, the league plans to expand in Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029), and Philadelphia (2030).
Building on the excitement, Underdog Sports highlighted the talent-rich pool of free agents, naming stars like A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Kelsey Plum, and Napheesa Collier.
Players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents next month, per @Spotrac:
A’ja Wilson
Breanna Stewart
Sabrina Ionescu
Kelsey Plum
Napheesa Collier
Jewell Loyd
Kahleah Copper
Arike Ogunbowale
Jackie Young
Kelsey Mitchell
Sophie Cunningham
Emma Meesseman
Gabby Williams
Satou…
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) March 18, 2026
Chris Peterson of The Independent Record and 406 Sports spotlighted Ionescu’s free agency and anticipated the May 8 season kickoff.
WNBA free agency is going to be wild. Sabrina is a free agent, and a bunch of other stars.
Can’t wait for May 8. https://t.co/WkiXmmf1cE
— Chris Peterson (@cmpetey406) March 18, 2026
The WNBA has been waiting for this moment for more freedom and better wages for some time. Matt Ellentuck made it simple: “the whole league was waiting for this new cba bag 💀”
To provide context for the wave of free agents, The Sporting News explained why so many WNBA players are entering free agency now.
“WNBA players avoided signing contracts past the 2025 season so they could take advantage of the higher salaries allowed in the new CBA,” The Sporting News posted on X. “Which means that other than those on rookie-scale contracts, only two players are on contracts. The rest of the league will be free agents.”
Which means that other than those on rookie-scale contracts, only two players are on contracts
The rest of the league will be free agents. pic.twitter.com/zJ89UJjNOq
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) March 18, 2026
Together, these changes mark a pivotal moment for the WNBA. With so many stars entering free agency, the league could gain popularity and see a dramatic shift in balance, depending on signings.
