NEW YORK — After a prolonged labor battle, the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association have agreed in principle to a new collective bargaining agreement just 51 days before the league’s 30th season is set to tip.
“I just want to say we have aligned on key elements of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement together. We still need to finalize a formal term sheet, but the progress made in these discussions marks a transformative step forward for players and the league,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said early Wednesday morning. “It underscores a shared commitment to the continued growth of the game. So, we’ll share additional details as they become available.”
The deal comes 17 months after the players opted out of their previous agreement and five months after the previous deal was initially set to expire, with talks oftentimes becoming contentious.
But on the heels of a week-long stretch of marathon bargaining sessions, the league and players’ union came to a tentative agreement on a transformational deal that — for the first time in WNBA history — ties its salary system to revenue growth, and is expected to offer the league’s first $1 million salaries.
The agreement is anticipated to reflect the league’s skyrocketing growth and popularity, with viewership, attendance and investment reaching historic levels the past few years.
Details of the agreement have yet to be shared, but it is expected to also enhance various player benefits, codify charter travel and establish other professional standards.
“This is historical for women’s sports. I told Cathy it’s not just for the players that are entering the league or the players that aren’t already here,” union president Nneka Ogwumike said. “We’re just really grateful to be able to come to a deal. We’re proud of ourselves.”
The agreement is pending ratification by the players as well as the WNBA and NBA Board of Governors.
This will be the sixth CBA in league history following deals in 1999, 2003, 2008, 2014 and 2020.
Training camp is slated to begin April 19, followed by preseason games beginning April 25 and the regular season starting May 8.
