The WNBA’s current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is set to expire in 17 days unless an extension is agreed upon. However, talks between the league and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) remain stalled, with significant disagreements over the new contract’s financial terms. Players are pushing for a revenue-sharing model similar to that of the NBA, but Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams has voiced strong criticism, accusing the league of prioritizing its own payments before fairly compensating players. Williams claimed that the WNBA wants to pay itself first and then split about 30% of player income, leaving less than 15% of the total revenue for the players.
This aligns with reports suggesting the league is offering a 15% revenue share that would decrease over time, a proposal the players find insufficient despite the league proposing a top salary exceeding $1 million annually. Williams downplayed the significance of the salary figures, highlighting that star players like Napheesa Collier still earn less than most coaches in the league, and that the league prioritizes paying coaches and other expenses over players’ salaries.
The slow negotiation process has also disrupted the WNBA schedule, with uncertainty around the timing of the expansion draft for the new Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo teams. With the 2020 CBA ending on January 9th, and the WNBPA ready to authorize a strike if needed, time is running out for both parties to reach an agreement.
Fan Take: This standoff is critical for WNBA fans because it directly impacts the league’s growth, player compensation, and overall stability. A failure to secure a fair CBA could not only cause disruptions but also stall the progress of women’s professional basketball at a time when its popularity is rising.
