Monday’s crucial Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) meeting, marking the first in-person negotiation with players since October, passed without much drama. However, initial updates indicated that the WNBA and the WNBPA have not moved significantly closer to an agreement after their three-hour discussion.
Following the meeting, WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike and Vice President Alisha Clark voiced their frustration over what they saw as the league’s slow pace. According to reporter Annie Costabile of Front Office Sports, Ogwumike and Clark criticized the WNBA for not presenting a counter-offer and felt the meeting time could have been better spent, especially since players have not met face-to-face with the league since the WNBA Finals.
Costabile further noted that the players’ union regretted that the league had yet to formally respond to the proposal submitted about six weeks earlier, though the league promised to start working on an official reply.
Ogwumike commented on the absence of a counter-proposal, saying, “They volunteered at the beginning of the meeting that they did not have a proposal prepared. That set the tone for the conversation because we wanted to hear another proposal.”
Despite the visible frustration, the players have not decided to strike. Clark told Costabile, “We need many more discussions before going on strike. It’s still a possibility, but until we receive a response from the league, there cannot be enough back-and-forth to define what a strike would look like.” She added that the strike has been part of their considerations since the authorization vote.
ESPN’s Alexa Philippou shared that the meeting focused less on exchanging new proposals and more on having an honest dialogue about each side’s viewpoints, allowing players and owners to connect and ask questions. Besides Ogwumike and Clark, players present included WNBPA Treasurer Brianna Turner and Washington Mystics Player Representative Stephanie Dolson. First Vice President Kelsey Plum and Vice President Nafeesa Collier were scheduled but attended remotely due to travel issues, joining other officers and about 40 additional players virtually.
On the league’s side, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert was present along with members of the labor committee and owners. Connecticut Sun President Jennifer Rizzotti, Seattle Storm co-owner Ginny Gilder, and Phoenix Mercury owner Matt Ishbia participated remotely, while New York Liberty owner Clara Wu Tsai and Storm co-owner Sue Bird attended in person.
Costabile also reported that Ogwumike and Clark dismissed rumors of discord within the WNBPA executive committee. Clark said, “I don’t think there are any cracks. As executive committee members, our role includes having tough conversations behind closed doors. Given the complexity and significance of this proposal, thorough discussions are vital, and that doesn’t mean there’s division.”
Before meeting the league, the union held a conference call at their headquarters with more than 40 players, joined by notable political figures Stacey Abrams and AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, who voiced their support for the WNBPA.
Fan Take: This update is critical for WNBA fans because it highlights that while progress is slow, players remain united and committed to achieving a fair deal—something that could reshape the future of the league. How the standoff unfolds will impact not only the players’ livelihoods but the growth and visibility of women’s basketball as a whole.
