WNBA and players union have aligned on key elements for a new collective bargaining agreement
The WNBA logo is seen near a hoop before an WNBA basketball game at Mohegan Sun Arena, May 14, 2019, in Uncasville, Conn. Credit: AP/Jessica Hill
NEW YORK — The WNBA and its players’ union have a verbal agreement on the terms of a transformational new collective bargaining agreement pending approval from the league’s Board of Governors and players with the expectation of starting the season on time.
Specifics still need to be worked out over the next few weeks. The deal is expected to greatly increase player salaries with a good chance for million dollar players — a first for the league entering its 30th season.
“I just want to say we have aligned on key elements of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement together. We still need to finalize a formal term sheet, but the progress made in these discussions marks a transformative step forward for players and the league,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said. “It underscores a shared commitment to the continued growth of the game. So, we’ll share additional details as they become available.”
The deal came after the two sides spent the past eight days in intense in-person negotiations that lasted for more than 100 hours. They came to the agreement at about 2:23 a.m. Wednesday after spending more than 10 hours negotiating on Tuesday.
“This is historical for women’s sports. I told Cathy it’s not just for the players that are entering the league or the players that aren’t already here,” union president Nneka Ogwumike said. "We’re just really grateful to be able to come to a deal. We’re proud of ourselves."
Revenue sharing has been the biggest hurdle over the course of the negotiations and now that a deal is finally done there's a really good chance that there will be a million dollar player.
Now, the league will have a sprint over the next two months to get the season started on time. An expansion draft for new teams in Toronto and Portland needs to take place. Also, teams will need to negotiate with the more than 80% of players who are free agents this offseason.
Training camps would open in late April, and the season would begin on May 8.
