The WNBA gamers union has determined to decide out of the present collective bargaining settlement, two years earlier than its expiration. The league and gamers union had the choice to take action earlier than Nov. 1.
The early opt-out marks a vital juncture for the league. The WNBA signed a historic 11-year media rights deal price $200 million a yr.
The league had file attendance and viewership this yr that culminated within the WNBA Finals that noticed New York beat Minnesota in additional time on Sunday in a decisive fifth recreation.
“This can be a defining second not only for the WNBA, however for all of us who imagine in progress,” WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike stated Monday. “The world has developed since 2020 and we can not afford to face nonetheless. If we keep within the present settlement, we fall behind. This can be a new period and we’re prepared to guide transformational change.”
The league has been skyrocketing, with 2024 marking an enormous breakthrough after years of great and sustained progress. ESPN had large will increase in scores with viewership within the common season going up 170%, in line with the union.
The present CBA will nonetheless cowl the 2025 season so the 2 sides have a yr to barter a brand new settlement.
“With the historic 2024 WNBA season now within the books, we sit up for working along with the gamers and the WNBAPA on a brand new CBA that’s truthful for all and lays the inspiration for progress and success for years to come back,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert stated.
Engelbert stated at her state-of-the-league deal with earlier than Sport 1 of the Finals that with the brand new media rights deal in place and plenty of extra company companions the energy of the league is in an ideal spot. She additionally went on to say that the gamers have been getting much more advertising and marketing offers, making them into family names.
The union stated it hoped for a brand new financial mannequin that transforms the present system, which imposes arbitrary and restrictive caps on the worth and advantages of gamers. The gamers need an equity-based mannequin that grows and evolves with the league’s elevated enterprise success.
Different areas that the union wish to see improved embody: salaries, retirement advantages, higher little one care and household planning advantages.
“This isn’t some sudden wake-up name. It’s the end result of what we’ve been driving for during the last a number of seasons,” WNBPA vp Kelsey Plum stated. “We’ve performed a key position within the league’s historic progress and now we’re breaking free from the present system to demand full transparency and an equitable stake within the enterprise we’ve helped construct.”
