Pay has emerged as a key issue in the WNBA in recent years, and the league’s players are pushing for a new collective bargaining agreement as a result
The decision of ex-Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles, as well as a host of other NCAA stars including Azzi Fudd and Flau’Jae Johnson, to skip the 2024 WNBA Draft and prolong their college careers has “strengthened” the Women’s National Basketball Players’ Association’s (WNBPA) position in ongoing negotiations for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), according to the union’s executive director.
The issue of pay has become a central point of contention in the WNBA, particularly given the league’s recent surge in popularity, driven by players like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and rising stars such as Paige Bueckers. However, Reese – who hinted at a potential lockout – along with other players have voiced their dissatisfaction with the low pay scales compared to other leagues, making it a crucial factor in the discussions for the new CBA.
For instance, despite being arguably the most thrilling athlete in American sports, Clark is projected to earn just over $78,000 for the 2025 WNBA season. This figure is dwarfed by even the minimum salary for her NBA counterparts, which stands at $1,157,153 for players with no experience in the 2024-25 season.
READ MORE: Rory McIlroy’s savage dig at Jimmy Fallon as Masters champion shows confidenceREAD MORE: Special treatment of Angel Reese denied as ESPN make Caitlin Clark announcement
The existing CBA, agreed upon in January 2020, was seen as groundbreaking due to its significant increase in player salaries and enhanced benefits. However, the rapid growth in interest and investment in women’s sports has rendered the agreement seemingly outdated. Consequently, the players’ union is advocating for further improvements.
WNBPA Executive Director Terri Carmichael Jackson has expressed optimism that strides will be made towards a new collective bargaining agreement by the time WNBA All-Star weekend rolls around on July 18-19, with the aim to lock in the deal before the current one lapses at the season’s end.
Jackson cites the traction gained by the upcoming women’s basketball talent as a bolstering factor for WNBPA’s position. With the emergence of players like Miles – who’s transferring to TCU – and JuJu Watkins to join the ranks in the coming years, the spotlight remains firmly on the WNBA’s draw.
“There are so many players that got my attention,” Jackson told The New York Post. “I believe they got the league and the team’s attention, too, who decided to take that fifth year and stay in college and did not come here, did not take that opportunity to enter the WNBA draft.
“That strengthens the union side and the player side of things because that means that pipeline is even that much stronger.”
While a potential halt in play looms, Jackson emphasizes the primacy of now for women’s sports, especially basketball: “There’s no better moment than right now for women’s sports, and particularly for women’s basketball and particularly for us.
“So are we seizing on every level? Absolutely.”
WNBA players decided to opt out of the current CBA in October, giving both the league and the WNBPA over a year to agree on a new deal. The negotiations are focusing on several key issues such as increased player salaries, a more flexible salary cap, expanded rosters, improved access to family planning services, and ensuring players have a voice in media rights discussions.
Under the existing CBA, a player who becomes pregnant while under contract would receive her full salary during maternity leave. However, this salary would still count towards a team’s salary cap even though the player is not present, potentially leading to harsh decisions by management.
The CBA talks are expected to be a significant focus throughout the 2025 WNBA season, which kicks off on May 17 with a match between Clark’s Indiana Fever and Reese’s Chicago Sky.
- Source: NEWHD MEDIA
