NEW YORK — The WNBA and the gamers’ union met in particular person Wednesday to debate a brand new collective bargaining settlement.
“As we speak’s assembly included preliminary conversations and constructive dialogue, with a mutual settlement to proceed discussions for a transformational, new CBA,” the 2 sides stated in a joint assertion.
The WNBA gamers’ union opted out of the present collective bargaining settlement in October. The present CBA will nonetheless cowl the 2025 season, so the 2 sides have a yr to barter a brand new settlement.
The early opt-out marks an important juncture for the league. The WNBA signed a historic 11-year media rights deal price $200 million a yr.
The league had report attendance and viewership this yr that culminated when the New York Liberty beat the Minnesota Lynx in additional time on Oct. 20 to win the WNBA Finals in a decisive fifth sport.
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On the assembly Wednesday had been WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike in addition to Kelsey Plum, Elizabeth Williams, Napheesa Collier, Satou Sabally, DiJonai Carrington and Stefanie Dolson. WNBPA govt director Terri Carmichael Jackson and extra union employees and advisers had been there as nicely.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert was joined by WNBA Labor Relations Committee members and extra league employees and advisers.
The league has been skyrocketing, with 2024 marking an enormous breakthrough after years of great and sustained development. ESPN had big will increase in rankings with viewership within the common season going up 170%, in line with the union.
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 lots of extra company companions the power of the league is in an important spot. She additionally went on to say that the gamers have been getting much more advertising 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 want to see improved embrace salaries, retirement advantages, higher little one care and household planning advantages.