New York Liberty star Brianna Stewart spoke candidly about the ongoing labor negotiations in the WNBA, highlighting tensions between players and league leadership. As vice president of the National Women’s Basketball Players Association, Stewart expressed frustration with the slow progress and welcomed direct involvement from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to help move talks forward.
At a press conference before the second season of Unrivaled, the 3×3 league she co-founded, Stewart emphasized that the current negotiation approach is ineffective and suggested that Silver and NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum joining the discussions would be beneficial. Silver, who oversees WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, has been monitoring the talks closely and remains open to attending in person. He stressed the need for compromise from both the league and players to reach a fair agreement that reflects the league’s growth and players’ deserved pay raises.
Stewart countered claims that players had made concessions, insisting the union is willing to compromise but feels the league remains unyielding. She warned that the negotiations are at a critical impasse and could stall without meaningful progress.
The talks, which have been extended twice beyond the original October 31 deadline to a new deadline of January 9, aim to establish a groundbreaking deal with substantial salary increases. The key dispute centers on how revenue is split. The players’ association suggests they should receive about 30% of league and team revenues, while the league’s counteroffer is less than 15%.
Under the union’s plan, the salary cap would be determined by subtracting benefit costs from the players’ revenue share, which would then be equally divided among teams. The league, however, proposes keeping the cap fixed for the contract’s duration but allowing players to earn extra through a post-season audit.
Stewart acknowledged the challenge of balancing the desire to compete with the need for fair evaluation and compensation. Tensions escalated this fall after Minnesota Lynx star and WNBPA vice president Napheesa Collier criticized league leadership and shared controversial remarks allegedly made by Engelbert. Despite this, Collier expressed confidence in the Players Association and optimism about forthcoming change, noting widespread support for progress within the league.
This article was originally published in The Athletic.
Fan Take: This labor dispute is crucial for WNBA fans because it highlights the struggle for fair compensation and respect for players who have driven the league’s success. A strong, transformative agreement could not only elevate players’ earnings but also propel the WNBA’s growth and visibility in the sports world.
