WNBA Proposes 30-Day Extension for CBA Negotiations as Deadline Approaches
The WNBA has offered a 30-day extension to its players' union to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement, which could prevent a potential work stoppage if a deal is not reached by the end of the month.
The WNBA has proposed a 30-day extension for negotiations with the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) regarding a new collective bargaining agreement. The current agreement is set to expire on October 31 unless both parties reach an agreement on an extension.
According to ESPN, players are willing to consider an extension ‘under the right circumstances,’ which have not yet been established. This extension would not be the first as a previous extension was necessary for the current CBA completed in January 2020.
If an agreement is not achieved, there could be a work stoppage, halting all league activities including access to practice facilities, while negotiations continue.
Historically, the WNBA has never actually lost games to a work stoppage, though situations have been critical. In 2003, the then-NBA commissioner, David Stern, issued a deadline to finalize a CBA to avert a canceled season. The current discussions have come to a crucial moment, as WNBPA senior advisor Erin Drake stated that they would likely not agree on a new CBA by the end of the month.
The league expressed that it has entered negotiations in good faith, reiterating that its priority is to resolve any disputes amicably, noting that significant improvements were already proposed to players.
Tensions have increased between the league, players, and specifically with Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, amid accusations regarding leadership and the valuation of player contributions. WNBPA’s Napheesa Collier publicly criticized Engelbert for failing to represent players adequately, escalating discussions about revenue sharing models and overall compensation.
Under the current CBA, salaries increase at a fixed rate of 3% annually, while players are advocating for their earnings to grow proportionally with league revenues. This model limits player revenue share to about 9%, contrasting sharply with the NBA’s revenue sharing for players.
The outcome of these negotiations could significantly impact the landscape of women’s professional basketball moving forward.
