Silver Confirms WNBA Negotiation: Challenges in CBA and Player Relations

Adam Silver Confirms Negotiations for a New Deal in the WNBA

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has confirmed that a new collective bargaining agreement will be reached with the WNBA players. However, he acknowledged the need to address and repair existing issues in the relationships following recent criticism of Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. These tensions reached their peak last week, when Napheesa Collier, a Minnesota player, expressed her opinion on the league’s leadership. These statements threatened to overshadow the WNBA Finals between Las Vegas and Phoenix, which began a few days later.

“There is no doubt that the WNBA is experiencing growing pains, and it’s unfortunate that this is happening just as its most important games and Finals are underway,” Silver stated.

Adam Silver

Engelbert has also expressed his confidence in reaching a new agreement, although not necessarily before the October 31 deadline. League and players’ association negotiators are expected to meet in the coming days. The players are seeking significant changes following the enormous growth of the WNBA in recent seasons, and some have expressed their frustration with Engelbert, although not with the same vehemence as Collier, who was the league’s MVP runner-up.

“Cathy Engelbert has presided over historic growth in the league, but there is no doubt that there are issues we must address with our players, not just economic ones. There are also relationship issues. I am confident that we can solve them over time and that this league can continue on the growth trajectory it has at the moment”, added Silver.

Adam Silver

Silver made these statements at NBC Sports headquarters, where the network’s return to broadcasting the league this season was discussed. They will also televise the WNBA Finals in 2026. Derek Fisher, former Lakers player and former president of the Basketball Players Association, commented on the current situation. In 2011, during his tenure, the league and the union failed to reach an agreement in time, resulting in a lockout that reduced the season to 66 games. Fisher explained that it is unusual to see someone express themselves the way Collier did during the negotiations, but he understood the reasons behind it.

“It’s not normal, but those were the feelings many times,” Fisher said, who also coached in the WNBA and will be one of the NBA game analysts for NBC.

Derek Fisher

Silver insisted that an agreement would be reached.

“We will reach an agreement with the players. There is still much work to be done, but of course, we will obtain a new collective bargaining agreement”, Silver assured.

Adam Silver

Fisher suggests that WNBA players feel they haven’t been valued enough and that there is a disconnect with the league’s management. Fisher added that the players feel the league could have reached this point sooner. The recent growth has re-accelerated with figures like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, but the league has always been special.