The WNBA gamers union has determined to choose 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 November 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 12 months.
The league had document attendance and viewership this 12 months that culminated within the WNBA Finals that noticed New York beat Minnesota in time beyond regulation 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 mentioned 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 steer transformational change.”
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 accordance with the union.
The present CBA will nonetheless cowl the 2025 season so the 2 sides have a 12 months to barter a brand new settlement.
“With the historic 2024 WNBA season now within the books, we look ahead to working along with the gamers and the WNBAPA on a brand new CBA that’s honest for all and lays the inspiration for development and success for years to come back,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert mentioned.
Engelbert mentioned at her state-of-the-league tackle earlier than Sport 1 of the Finals that with the brand new media rights deal in place and plenty of extra company companions the power of the league is in a terrific 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 mentioned 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.
“This isn’t some sudden wake-up name. It’s the fruits of what we’ve been driving for over the past a number of seasons,” WNBPA vp Kelsey Plum mentioned. “We’ve performed a key position within the league’s historic development 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.”