The WNBPA introduced Thursday that its members have voted overwhelmingly to authorize calling a strike “when vital” throughout the ongoing negotiations between the gamers affiliation and the WNBA on a brand new collective bargaining settlement.
Voting on the authorization occurred this week, and the outcomes have been acquired Thursday.
“The gamers have spoken,” the WNBPA mentioned in a press release. “By means of a decisive vote with historic participation, our membership has licensed the WNBPA’s Govt Committee to name a strike when vital. The gamers’ determination is an unavoidable response to the state of negotiations with the WNBA and its groups.
“Repeatedly, the gamers’ considerate and cheap method has been met by the WNBA and its groups with a resistance to vary and a recommitment to the draconian provisions which have unfairly restricted gamers for practically three many years. The gamers’ vote is neither a name for a direct strike nor an intention to pursue one. Somewhat, it’s an emphatic affirmation of the gamers’ confidence of their management and their unwavering solidarity in opposition to ongoing efforts to divide, conquer, and undervalue them.
“Let it’s identified. The gamers stay united, resolute, and ready to battle for his or her worth and their future.”
In response to a supply, the WNBA’s newest proposal consists of an uncapped income sharing mannequin that will elevate most salaries above $1.3 million (up from $249,244 in 2025) and rising to just about $2 million over the lifetime of the deal; common salaries to above $530,000 (up from $120,000 in 2025) and rising to greater than $770,000 over the lifetime of the deal; and minimal salaries to in extra of over 1 / 4 of 1,000,000 in 12 months one alone (up from $66,079 in 2025).
Whereas these figures are huge will increase, the gamers are on the lookout for a larger share of the income pie. The union has proposed a system the place gamers obtain about 30% of gross income, a supply informed ESPN, as gamers have advocated for overhauling a system that, of their phrases, has lengthy undervalued them. The league in the meantime proposed a income sharing system that granted gamers in extra of fifty% of internet income — amounting to lower than 15% of gross income, suggesting that whereas it desires to supply greater salaries, the WNBA requires a a lot greater share of income to cowl operation prices than different main professional leagues.
In a press release, the WNBA mentioned, “we strongly disagree with the WNBPA’s characterization of the present state of negotiations.”
“It’s obscure claims that the league is resistant to vary, significantly on condition that we’re proposing quite a few CBA modifications together with important quick wage will increase and a brand new uncapped revenue-sharing mannequin that will guarantee continued wage progress tied to income progress,” the WNBA’s assertion mentioned.
“The league stays steadfast in its dedication to reaching an settlement as quickly as attainable and delivering a thirtieth season for the gamers, followers, groups, and companions. We’ve got negotiated in good religion and with urgency, and stay targeted on finalizing a brand new collective bargaining settlement that not solely meaningfully enhances participant pay, advantages, and expertise, but in addition does so in a means that ensures the long-term progress of the sport and the league’s capability to serve the following era of WNBA gamers.”
The choice on whether or not to strike is now within the palms of the seven gamers who make up the WNBPA govt committee. They’re president Nneka Ogwumike, first vice chairman Kelsey Plum, vice chairman Napheesa Collier, vice chairman Breanna Stewart, vice chairman Alysha Clark, secretary Elizabeth Williams and treasurer Brianna Turner.
A strike would mark the primary labor stoppage of any variety in WNBA historical past. The league and its gamers are nonetheless forward of the schedule in contrast with finishing previous CBA negotiations, together with one in 2003 that wasn’t resolved till April, shortly earlier than a deadline set by the WNBA to keep away from canceling that season’s scheduled play.
Regardless of the WNBPA agreeing to increase the CBA from its authentic Oct. 31 deadline, first by way of Nov. 30 and extra lately by way of Jan. 9, the 2 sides have remained far aside in negotiations, and the tone struck by gamers signifies their unhappiness with the method.
Throughout final week’s USA Basketball camp, Los Angeles Sparks All-Star Plum known as talks “a bit of bit disheartening, simply the frustration within the negotiation and the way far-off we’re.”
In response to the WNBPA’s information launch, 93% of eligible gamers participated within the vote and 98% of that group voted in favor of authorizing a strike. The extensions to the CBA have included a provision giving both facet the flexibility to terminate them with 48 hours’ discover, at which level the WNBPA might provoke a strike or the league might lock out the gamers.
ESPN’s Alexa Philippou contributed to this report.