WNBA Players Express Discontent After CBA Talks

INDIANAPOLIS – After nearly 20 hours of discussions with league officials concerning collective bargaining agreements ahead of the All-Star Festival, many WNBA players felt that the meetings did not yield meaningful results.

“Honestly, it was a wasted opportunity,” shared Brenna Stewart, vice president of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association. “We could have explored critical topics more thoroughly, but instead, it was filled with a lot of fluff. This kind of situation won’t recur since we’re all on different teams in different leagues, so it’s disappointing.”

The union’s executive committee reconvened just 30 minutes prior to negotiations on Thursday to align on their key priorities.

With over 40 players participating, this marked the largest turnout in the history of CBA talks. At one point, chairs ran out in the meeting room, emphasizing the union’s commitment to making their voices heard regarding the new CBA.

However, what unfolded during the discussions wasn’t what the players had hoped for.

Stewart noted that some league representatives seemed “shocked” by players’ perspectives, especially regarding their demands for better revenue sharing.

Seattle Storm All-Star Gabby Williams commented that league officials “managed to spin everything very strategically,” likening them to politicians during tense moments when questions arose from players.

“I don’t think they realized how well we understood their proposals,” Williams said. “They seemed to believe they could wow us with flashy numbers and language, but we were pretty clear on what it meant for us.”

Page Booker, the year’s number one draft pick, expressed that “it’s not going well” regarding the talks.

Players described feeling “annoyed” and “scarred” by the situation.

The WNBPA has been pushing for better revenue sharing since February, but they did not receive an official counter proposal until last month, leading to significant frustration, especially with the league’s initial offer.

“We were definitely disappointed with their response,” WNBPA Vice President Napesa Collier remarked. “It was far from what we were seeking, or even in the same conversation; their return proposal was entirely different from our ask.”

The WNBA has yet to release a formal statement regarding the Thursday meeting. Commissioner Kathy Engelbert is expected to address reporters before the All-Star Game on Saturday.

While revenue distribution and increased player salaries remain top priorities, other issues need to be addressed, including player amenities, pensions, housing scholarships, and benefits for mothers.

There are also concerns regarding league prioritization rules, especially among international players, like Williams.

The league has consistently assured the union that they would be “listening” during talks.

Yet players are looking for more than just words; they desire concrete actions.

“Both [WNBPA President] Nneka [Ogwumike] and Napheesa [Collier] emphasized what our goals are, making it very clear,” said Fever star Kelsey Mitchell. “We need to back our leaders who are advocating for what’s right.”

There are still many significant discussions that need to take place, but Stewart mentioned that several conversations felt “unfinished.”

“There’s a lot to process,” she added.

Time is of the essence. The current CBA, which was signed in January 2020, is set to expire on October 31.

Both sides would prefer to avoid a work stoppage, but that’s looking increasingly likely given the lack of progress.

“Nobody wants a work stoppage. But at the end of the day, we need to stand our ground,” Collier said.

No further in-person meetings are scheduled, and Stewart expressed doubts that any would happen before the end of the season, given the packed WNBA schedule.

She noted that virtual meetings could be a fallback option, though not ideal. Union leaders are expected to meet with league officials “soon,” but specifics remain unclear.

As the league and players’ association navigate ongoing tensions, both parties aim to establish a fair and transformative CBA that satisfies everyone involved.

“Both sides want to achieve this,” Stewart said. “But if things aren’t clear by the end of the season, we could be facing an even bigger problem. A sense of urgency is necessary.”