Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has announced the Women’s National Basketball Championship Basketball ESPN reports that the Players Association (WNBPA), has been granted a 30-day extension in order to continue negotiations for a new collective agreement. The current CBA expires on Friday, October 31 unless both sides reach an agreement to extend it or sign a new contract. ESPN reports that players will only accept a contract extension “under the correct circumstances,” and those conditions “have not yet been met.” This is not the first instance that both sides needed a negotiation extension to reach a new CBA. A 60-day extension was needed to finish the current CBA. The two sides announced on Oct. 28, 2019 a 60-day delay, three days before the deadline. Then, the league would stop all business — players wouldn’t be able access practice facilities. Negotiations would continue.
The WNBA is yet to lose a single game because of a work-stoppage. However, it has come very close. In 2003 there was no agreement in place when early April rolled around. Then-NBA Commissioner David Stern then issued an ultimatum that if a CBA wasn’t reached by April 18, the season would be canceled. Two sides reached an agreement. In the end, both the 2003 WNBA Draft as well as preseason matches were postponed. Erin Drake, WNBPA’s senior advisor and legal adviser, told The Athletic in an interview on Tuesday that there will be no agreement between the two parties on a CBA before October 31. “We’ve worked hard for Friday to be able say, ‘We did it. Drake told reporters that it was unlikely to happen. It takes two to dance a tango. And it’s been difficult to find rhythm, a beat or the same urgency. [from the league]Just to be honest: to accomplish this.”
In a release to ESPN the league stated it had made an October 1 offer to the player’s which was ignored until Monday. “We’ve been negotiating with Players Association with good faith and urgency for many months in order to finalize a collective bargaining agreement quickly,” a WNBA representative told ESPN. “We have been clear all along that our priority has always been to achieve a new agreement with the Players Association that will address their requests for increased pay, benefits, and improvements to the experience of players, while also ensuring the growth and long-term success of the League and its teams.”We encourage the Players Association spend less time spreading misinformation to the public and more time engaging in constructive engagement with us across the table.”
Since over a month, the WNBA has been involved in a bitter labour dispute with the WNBPA. The players announced that they will opt out from the CBA in October 2024. In a statement, WNBPA President Nneka OGWUMike stated that this was a defining time, not only for the WNBA but also for those of us who are committed to progress. “The world is different today than it was in 2020. We cannot afford to stay still. We are at a disadvantage if we remain in the current deal.”Opting out doesn’t just mean bigger paychecks – it’s also about claiming the rightful share of our business, improving working conditions and securing the future, where the success that we create will benefit today’s players as well as the generations to follow. We don’t just ask for a CBA which reflects our worth; we demand it, because it’s what we deserve.
The tension between players and league officials, specifically Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has increased in recent months. Napheesa Collier, WNBPA vice-president and former Minnesota Lynx player, delivered an acerbic rebuke against Engelbert at her exit interview. “We have the most talented players in the entire world.” We have the best fans on the planet. But right now we have the worst leadership in the world,” Collier said, while also accusing Engelbert of making disparaging remarks about players, including Caitlin Clark.Engelbert later addressed the criticism during her pre-Finals press conference.
She added, “I respect Napheesa the most and all of our players.” “They are the core of what we do.” I was disappointed to hear some players felt that the league or me personally did not care for them or listen them. If the players of the W do not feel valued and appreciated by the league then we must do better, and I must do better.”The revenue sharing model has been the main point of contention between the sides. The salary cap, and therefore, player salaries, increase at a fixed 3% rate per year under the current CBA. Players are calling for a model that allows salaries to grow along with the business. Currently, reports indicate that players only receive about 9% of all revenue, a far cry from the 49-51% of basketball-related income that NBA players receive.While Engelbert and NBA commissioner Adam Silver have both publicly supported raising player salaries, they have pushed back on revenue sharing.
Silver stated earlier this month that “I don’t think sharing is the best way to look it, because the NBA has so much more revenue.” “I believe you should consider the absolute figures in terms of how much they make. The collective bargaining cycle will bring them a large increase, and they deserve it.
2025-10-29 01:20:01
