The WNBA players union has chosen to opt out of the current collective bargaining agreement, two years before it is set to end. Both the league and the players union had the option to do this before November 1.
This early decision is an important moment for the league. The WNBA signed a groundbreaking 11-year media rights deal worth $200 million each year.
This year, the league saw record attendance and viewership, culminating in the WNBA Finals where New York defeated Minnesota in an exciting overtime game on Sunday.
“This is a defining moment not just for the WNBA, but for all of us who believe in progress,” WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike said Monday.
“The world has evolved since 2020 and we cannot afford to stand still. If we stay in the current agreement, we fall behind. This is a new era and we are ready to lead transformational change.”
The league has been growing rapidly, with 2024 expected to be a major breakthrough after years of steady growth. ESPN reported a significant increase in ratings, with regular season viewership rising by 170%, according to the union.
The current CBA will still cover the 2025 season, giving both sides a year to negotiate a new agreement.
“With the historic 2024 WNBA season now finished, we look forward to working together with the players and the WNBPA on a new CBA that is fair for all and lays the foundation for growth and success for years to come,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said.
Engelbert mentioned in her state-of-the-league speech before Game 1 of the Finals that with the new media rights deal and many new corporate partners, the league is in a strong position. She also noted that players have been getting many more marketing deals, which are making them well-known.
The union expressed that it is seeking a new economic model to change the current system, which puts strict limits on the value and benefits of players. The players want a model based on equity that grows and changes with the league’s business success.
Other areas the union wants to improve include salaries, retirement benefits, and better child care and family planning support.
“This isn’t some sudden wake-up call. It’s the culmination of what we’ve been driving for over the last several seasons,” WNBPA vice president Kelsey Plum said. “We’ve played a key role in the league’s historic growth and now we’re breaking free from the current system to demand full transparency and an equitable stake in the business we’ve helped build.”
