As it had the possibility, the WNBA players' union has just announced its withdrawal of the current “CBA”, the collective agreement of the women’s league. By deciding to exercise their right to renegotiate the current agreement (which runs until 2027), the players take the risk that no agreement will be reached with the league management. The two parties now have until October 2025 to reach a new agreement. If no common ground is found within a year, we would then enter a “lockout” phase, as the NBA has experienced several since 1995.
More fairness
After the immense sporting and media success of this season, the players' union (WNBPA) wants a better redistribution of the league's current revenues, and above all better salaries for the players. Especially since the WNBA has just concluded a historic television agreement worth $200 million over 11 years with Disney (ESPN/ABC), Amazon Prime and NBC.
Beyond better financial redistribution, the president of the union and Storm star Nneka Ogwumike is calling for an improvement in working conditions, and in the social part of the agreement: “ Our withdrawal is not only due to salaries. It is also to demand the fair sharing of a business that we have built, better working conditions and security for future generations thanks to today's profits. We're not just demanding a new CBA that reflects our values, we're demanding it because we've earned it“. The players' union is also demanding better pension and childcare benefits.
Discussions on track
These demands are not new, and Kelsey Plum (first vice-president of the union) indicates that she wants more clarity for the next convention: “ Our demand is not sudden, it is the result of several years of struggle. We have played a key role in the growth of the league and today we are demanding more transparency in a business we helped build“.
Receptive, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert expressed her optimism: “ After a historic 2024 season, we look forward to working with the players and the WNBPA on a new CBA that is fairer and lays the foundation for future growth and success“. The newly minted champion Breanna Stewart indicated that discussions were indeed on track. The threat of a “lockout” nevertheless seems unlikely given the current discussions between the two parties, which are intended to be constructive.
