WNBA and Players’ Association Discuss New Collective Bargaining Agreement
In a bid to advance discussions on a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the WNBA and its players’ association conducted an online meeting on Monday, attended by over 50 players, according to a source who chose to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the negotiations. This gathering marked the first engagement between the two parties since February 2, with the venue shifted to a virtual platform because of inclement weather in New York.
Main Points of Contention
The main points of contention revolve around revenue sharing and housing stipulations. The WNBA presented a proposal last Friday that would allocate 70% of net revenue to the players while removing the existing trigger threshold required for revenue sharing. Conversely, the players’ union is advocating for an average of 27.5% of gross revenue throughout the CBA’s duration, beginning with 25% in the first year—a decrease from their previous request for an average exceeding 30%. The league has responded that such percentages are unrealistic and would lead to significant financial losses for the franchises.
Positive Developments
In a positive development, the league informed the players’ union that it plans to distribute an unprecedented $8 million in revenue sharing from the previous season, marking the first time such a distribution has been triggered in WNBA history. The players will have 60 days from February 9 to decide how this revenue will be allocated among themselves, and the funds will be dispersed by their respective teams, with reimbursement coming from the league.
Also, the league has confirmed that it will continue to cover housing expenses for all players this season, while in future seasons, arrangements will be modified. Under the latest terms, only certain players—including those on minimum contracts, first-year rookies, and developmental players—would benefit from league-covered housing in subsequent years.
Urgency for Agreement
With the impending May 8 start of the season, the urgency for reaching a new CBA is increasing, as delays could hinder not only the expansion draft for Toronto and Portland but also free agency activities. The league recently emphasized that timely agreement is vital to ensure continuity for current players and to support the future of the league. The last CBA was finalized in January 2020, and historically, it could take up to two months post-agreement to initiate free agency. This offseason, a significant percentage—80%—of the players are free agents, setting the stage for unprecedented player movement. Time is of the essence, as any holdup will have financial repercussions affecting fan engagement, sponsorship deals, and overall revenue.
