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Michael Voepel, ESPN Senior Author
WNBA gamers have opted out of their present collective bargaining settlement and face the prospect of a piece stoppage if they do not negotiate a brand new cope with the league by the tip of the 2025 season.
The elected members of the Ladies’s Nationwide Basketball Gamers Affiliation (WNBPA) introduced Monday that gamers are in search of “a enterprise mannequin that displays their true worth, encompassing increased salaries, enhanced skilled working situations, expanded well being advantages, and essential investments wanted for long-term progress.”
Gamers had till Nov. 1 to decide out of the present deal, which was set to run out in 2027 and can nonetheless be in impact till Oct. 31, 2025. The 2 sides have a 12 months to return to an settlement.
Citing increased tv rankings, attendance figures and franchise values, the union mentioned the time is correct for renegotiating with the league and house owners. The league additionally just lately entered right into a historic 11-year media rights cope with Disney, Amazon Prime and NBC for $200 million a 12 months.
“This can be a defining second, not only for the WNBA, however for all of us who imagine in progress,” WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike of the Seattle Storm mentioned in an announcement. “The world has developed since 2020, and we can’t afford to face nonetheless. If we keep within the present settlement, we fall behind.
“Opting out is not nearly larger paychecks — it is about claiming our rightful share of the enterprise we have constructed, bettering working situations, and securing a future the place the success we create advantages in the present day’s gamers and the generations to return. We’re not simply asking for a CBA that displays our price; we’re demanding it, as a result of we have earned it.”
The WNBA moved to all constitution journey for the primary time this season and is increasing to 13 groups subsequent season, with Golden State becoming a member of the league. In 2026, Toronto and Portland additionally will launch WNBA franchises.
“The gamers made the choice to decide out of the final CBA to realign the enterprise and save the league from its personal limitations,” WNBPA govt director Terri Carmichael Jackson mentioned. “Right now, with a stronger basis and new investments flowing in, they’re opting out once more — this time to totally professionalize the league, safe correct wages, enhance working situations, and lock in significant advantages.
“As a union, we serve on the behest of the gamers, and for them, that is all about enterprise — their enterprise.”
Gamers are ready to barter for so long as it takes, union sources informed ESPN’s Chiney Ogwumike, even when it means a piece stoppage.
“With the historic 2024 WNBA season now within the books, we look ahead to working along with the gamers and the WNBPA on a brand new CBA that’s truthful for all and lays the inspiration for progress and success for years to return,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert mentioned in an announcement.
The union mentioned it hoped for a brand new financial mannequin that transforms the present system, which imposes arbitrary and restrictive caps on the worth and advantages of gamers. The gamers need an equity-based mannequin that grows and evolves with the league’s elevated enterprise success.
Different areas that the union want to see improved embody salaries, retirement advantages, baby care and household planning advantages.
“This is not some sudden wake-up name. It is the end result of what we have been driving for during the last a number of seasons,” WNBPA first vp Kelsey Plum mentioned. “We have performed a key position within the league’s historic progress and now we’re breaking free from the present system to demand full transparency and an equitable stake within the enterprise we have helped construct.”
New York Liberty star and gamers union vp Breanna Stewart earlier this month characterised communication with league nearly as good.
Engelbert mentioned at her state-of-the-league deal with earlier than Recreation 1 of the Finals that she has engaged with union management via the 12 months.
“I believe that given the transformation of the league that we have been working so onerous on, constructing this long-term financial mannequin, we have already returned to the gamers via constitution, via rising playoff bonuses a pair years in the past by over 50%,” she mentioned. “So we’ll proceed to do this, and once we get to the bargaining desk we’ll proceed to speak in regards to the points which can be most necessary to the gamers.”
ESPN’s Alexa Philippou and The Related Press contributed to this report.
