WNBA Negotiates Historic New Collective Bargaining Agreement With Assist From Ballard Spahr

The Women’s National Basketball Association and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association have agreed to terms on a historic new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), with Ballard Spahr Partner Shannon Farmer serving as counsel to the WNBA for the successful negotiations.

A partner in Ballard Spahr’s Labor and Employment Group, Shannon advised the WNBA through negotiations, including more than a week of closely watched, round-the-clock sessions that led to an announcement of an agreement last week. The seven-year CBA starts with the 2026 season and runs through the 2032 season.

As detailed in the WNBA’s press release, the new CBA incudes historic provisions and “represents one of the most transformational labor agreements ever reached in major professional sports.”

“I’m forever grateful to the WNBA for trusting me to play a part in this historic achievement,” Shannon said. “It is an honor to be a part of achieving these history-making breakthroughs for women in sports.”

Read more about the terms of the historic CBA in the WNBA’s press release.

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