Adam Silver Confirms Labor Agreement with the WNBA Despite Tensions
STAMFORD, Conn. – NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has assured that a new collective bargaining agreement will be reached with the WNBA players, although he acknowledged the need to repair relations after recent criticism of Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. Tensions reached their peak last week when Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier expressed strong criticism of the league’s leadership, threatening to overshadow the WNBA Finals between Las Vegas and Phoenix.Engelbert has also expressed confidence in reaching an agreement, although not necessarily before the October 31 deadline. League and players’ association negotiators are expected to meet this week. The players are seeking significant changes after the enormous growth of the WNBA in recent seasons, and some have expressed their frustration with Engelbert, although not with the same intensity as Collier, runner-up for the league’s MVP. Silver acknowledged that, despite the historical growth of the league under Engelbert’s leadership, there are issues that need to be addressed with the players, both economic and relational. He expressed optimism about the ability to solve these problems and ensure that the league continues on its upward trajectory. Silver spoke at NBC Sports headquarters to discuss the network’s return to broadcasting the league this season. It will also televise the WNBA Finals in 2026. Derek Fisher, former Lakers player and former president of the National Basketball Players Association in 2011, when the league and the union failed to reach an agreement in time, which reduced the season to 66 games due to a lockout, commented that it is rare to see someone express themselves as Collier did during the negotiations, but he understood the reason.“There is no doubt that the WNBA is experiencing difficulties in its growth, and it is regrettable that this is happening right when its most important games and the Finals are being played,” Silver declared.
Adam Silver
Silver insisted that an agreement would be reached. “We will reach an agreement with the players. There is a lot of work to be done, but of course, we will obtain a new collective bargaining agreement,” he assured. Fisher intuits that the WNBA players feel they haven’t been valued enough and that there is a disconnect with the league’s management.“It’s not the norm, but those were the feelings many times,” said Fisher, who also coached in the WNBA and will be one of NBC’s analysts for NBA coverage.
Derek Fisher
