WNBA and Players Association at an Impasse Over New Collective Bargaining Agreement

As the deadline for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) approaches on January 9, 2024, negotiations between the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) are marked by significant disagreement over revenue sharing and financial projections. The WNBA has projected that the WNBPA's recent proposal, which allocates approximately 30% of gross revenue to players and suggests a salary cap of $10.5 million, could lead to $700 million in losses over the agreement's duration. This figure, according to league sources, would surpass the combined losses incurred by the league and its teams in the first 29 years of operation.

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In contrast, the WNBPA disputes this projection, labeling it "absolutely false" and arguing that their revenue sharing model would still allow the league to operate profitably. A key point of contention lies in how expansion fees are accounted for; the WNBA views these fees as generating zero net revenue, while the WNBPA considers them as real income contributing to the owners' financial standings.

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The WNBA's latest proposal includes a salary cap starting at $5 million, which would increase in line with revenue growth. For context, the current figures for 2025 include a supermax salary of $249,244, an average salary of $120,000, and a minimum salary of $66,079. The league aims to incentivize owners to invest further in the business, leveraging recent growth to transition from operating at losses to achieving sustained profitability.

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The WNBPA, led by president Nneka Ogwumike, has criticized the league's revenue share model as "not adequate." The union's proposals have evolved, initially suggesting a salary cap of approximately $12.5 million for 2026, which has since been adjusted to around $10.5 million. This proposal includes an average salary of $1 million and a maximum salary of $2.5 million, reflecting a significant increase from current figures.

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Despite having opted out of the current CBA over a year ago, Ogwumike expressed that negotiations feel "a bit in their infancy." Recently, the players authorized the union's executive committee to consider a strike if negotiations do not progress satisfactorily. Ogwumike emphasized that while a strike is a possibility, it is not the desired outcome. The union's goal remains to secure a fair deal that accurately reflects the players' contributions to the league.

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The WNBPA has stated that it regularly updates its members on the negotiation status, emphasizing the players' commitment to achieving a transformative agreement that ensures a meaningful share of the revenue generated by their labor. Meanwhile, the WNBA continues to advocate for a revenue sharing model that prioritizes net revenue after expenses.

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There is a notable discrepancy between the WNBA's projected financial losses and the WNBPA's assertion of profitability under their proposed model. Additionally, the differing interpretations of expansion fees highlight a significant gap in understanding between the two sides, complicating the negotiation process.

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“a bit in their infancy.” — Nneka Ogwumike, WNBPA President

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“This means we could possibly strike if we need to, but it doesn't mean that we want that to happen,” — Nneka Ogwumike, WNBPA President

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“The players remain fully engaged and focused on securing a transformative agreement that delivers a meaningful share of the revenue their labor creates.” — WNBPA Statement

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