WNBA and Players Resume Negotiations
After a face-to-face meeting last week, the WNBA and its players seem to be back at the negotiation table. Players had submitted a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) proposal in December, but there was reportedly no movement from the league by February. During their recent gatherings in New York, more than 40 players participated either in person or via Zoom. Although the league didn’t have a response ready during the meeting, an updated proposal was sent out later that week on Friday.
While there hasn’t been significant progress on financial issues, particularly in terms of the revenue-sharing model, some concessions appear to have been made. Initially, the league aimed to eliminate housing benefits entirely; however, the latest proposal now includes guaranteed housing for players who have been in the league for less than three years. These players will have access to one-bedroom apartments during their first three years, and newly drafted rookies will also be accommodated with one-bedroom living arrangements.
That said, the players are unlikely to accept this proposal. The primary concern remains the league’s inadequate approach to revenue sharing. Reportedly, there’s still a considerable divide between the teams on this matter. Players are seeking a return of 30% of total revenue, which would set the salary cap for teams at over $10 million, with individual player salaries reaching about $2.5 million. Currently, the league offers around half of that amount.
Time is of the essence as the WNBA season is slated to kick off in just three months. Training camps typically start two to three weeks prior, and the WNBA Draft occurs a week before that. Essentially, we’re looking at just a month to finalize everything. Compounding the issue, there are more than 100 players needing new contracts during an unprecedented free agency period.
Moreover, the upcoming expansion draft for Toronto and Portland also hangs in the balance. With no CBA finalized, these new teams aren’t prepared for the expansion draft as the specific rules remain unclear. Once a new CBA is established, existing teams will need time to create their protected player lists in accordance with new regulations, which the expansion teams will then have to use for their preparations. This is not something that can be organized quickly.
Despite these challenges, there seems to be some progress towards an agreement. As one player noted in an interview, the urgency of negotiations is palpable. There’s a finite window to reach a deal before potentially delaying the season. While no certain dates have been shared publicly, there’s a prevailing sentiment among league officials that if progress isn’t made by the end of February, the start of the season could be jeopardized.
