Tensions are escalating in the ongoing labor dispute between the WNBA and the union representing the players as the current collective bargaining agreement is set to expire next week without a new deal in place.
The dispute intensified on Tuesday and Wednesday with both sides engaging in a war of words. The head of the NBA, which has partial ownership of the women’s league, expressed confidence in reaching a new agreement and assured significant pay raises for WNBA players. However, his remarks regarding the share of league revenues for WNBA players sparked backlash from the union.
The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) swiftly responded on Wednesday, accusing the league and teams of attempting to restrict labor costs through an artificial salary system that does not reflect the players’ contributions to the business. The union’s executive director, Terri Carmichael Jackson, criticized the league’s proposed fixed salary system and separate revenue sharing plan in a statement.
In a rebuttal, the WNBA defended its position, stating that they had proposed an uncapped revenue sharing model directly linked to the league’s performance, offering potential compensation increases for players as league revenue grows. The league expressed frustration over the union’s misrepresentations of their proposals and accusations of delays in negotiations.
The Toronto Tempo are slated to join the league in the upcoming 2026 season. Both sides have been engaged in discussions over the past few weeks, aiming to reach a resolution before the October 31 deadline. Negotiations could be extended if necessary, similar to the approach taken during the 2019 collective agreement negotiations.
Players opted out of the current agreement last year seeking increased revenue sharing, higher salaries, enhanced benefits, and a more flexible salary cap. While the WNBA’s proposals have not met the players’ expectations so far, the exact disparity in salary terms remains unclear. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert emphasized the league’s commitment to securing a transformative deal that includes substantial salary and benefits enhancements.
Tensions were further heightened in the negotiations following critical comments from union vice president Napheesa Collier towards the commissioner after her Minnesota team’s playoff exit.