WNBA: CBA negotiations and their impact on owners, teams, and the future of the league.

Detailed Analysis: Perspectives on WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement Negotiations

In the world of sports, contract negotiations often present challenges, especially when it comes to collective bargaining agreements. In the WNBA, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, along with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, and team owners, are seeking an agreement that benefits both the league and the players. However, the Players Association has shown a firmer stance, expressing their concerns and criticizing the negotiation tactics. The WNBA is experiencing financial growth, with franchise valuations increasing, a new television deal starting in 2026, and expansion to 18 teams by 2030. The league seeks to consolidate its economic success, rewarding the players, who are key to this growth. The initial deadline for the agreement, set for October 31, was extended 30 days to the end of November. Next, we will explore the perspectives of the administration, the commissioner, and the owners, as well as the challenges and opportunities they face in these crucial negotiations.

Cathy Engelbert assumed the role of WNBA commissioner in July 2019, right in the middle of the previous collective bargaining negotiations. Six years later, the league has experienced significant growth, including a media rights deal for $2.2 billion, franchise valuations reaching hundreds of millions, and an expansion that will bring the league to 18 teams by 2030. However, the last few months of her management have been challenging. The WNBA playoffs were marred by criticism of the referees’ management and statements by Napheesa Collier, who criticized the league’s leadership. Engelbert now faces the task of negotiating an agreement that significantly increases the salaries and compensation of the players, incentivizing the owners’ investment and ensuring the long-term viability of the league. Once the agreement is completed, the question of Engelbert’s continuation as commissioner will arise. While she has expressed her commitment to address the leadership issues, her tenure will ultimately depend on the decision of Adam Silver and the owners.

Adam Silver, who joined the NBA in 1992 and was present during the launch of the WNBA in 1997, has been a key driver in the development of the women’s league. As NBA commissioner since October 2012, he has appointed two WNBA leaders: Lisa Borders and Cathy Engelbert. Silver is expected to want the WNBA to operate independently under the NBA umbrella. The financial progress of the WNBA in recent years has led Silver to become more involved, especially with the interest of more NBA franchises in the WNBA. This situation could put pressure on the working relationship between Silver and Engelbert. An example is the current situation with the Connecticut Sun team, where the sale or relocation of the franchise is being discussed. Silver, like his predecessor David Stern, seeks to keep the WNBA financially stable as an important part of the NBA’s global brand. This collective bargaining agreement could define Silver’s legacy in the WNBA.

In the WNBA, team ownership is divided into two categories: millionaires and billionaires. Within these categories, there is a notable difference in the willingness to invest. Joe Tsai, owner of the New York Liberty, has demonstrated his commitment by providing the necessary resources to turn the Liberty into a world-class franchise. Other owners with the same vision are Joe Lacob (Golden State Valkyries), Mark Davis (Las Vegas Aces), and Mat Ishbia (Phoenix), who also own NBA teams or other professional sports. These owners, with teams in large-scale arenas and state-of-the-art facilities, may be more willing to offer players a larger share of the revenue, relying on the continuous profits from attendance, jersey sales, and other sources of income. They consider the WNBA as a business investment.

Independent owners, such as those of the Seattle Storm and the Connecticut Sun, have been fundamental in keeping the WNBA afloat. These owners, who helped the league in its early years, are now outnumbered by NBA owners, who have recognized the financial potential of the women’s league. The potential sale of the Sun has been complicated by the WNBA’s desire to prioritize bidders from the most recent expansion round, which awarded teams to NBA groups. Independent owners, with more limited resources, focus on controlling expenses and maintaining equality. Despite this, they have not skimped on investments, such as the construction of a practice facility specifically for the WNBA by the Storm.

Following the successful debut season of the Valkyries, there are five new teams waiting. The new groups have paid significant sums to join the growth of the WNBA. The Detroit, Cleveland, and Philadelphia franchises, whose owners also own NBA teams, paid $250 million in expansion fees, not including investment in practice facilities. The expansion teams, Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, which will start in 2026, are eagerly awaiting the new collective bargaining agreement. The rules for the upcoming two-team expansion draft must be collectively bargained, so they will not be able to build their rosters until an agreement is reached.

General managers, although not directly represented at the negotiating table, play a crucial role. The rules established in the collective bargaining agreement influence the construction of the roster and the financial distribution between the owners and the players. Executives, whose role has become full-time, will be attentive to the flexibility that the new agreement may offer. The WNBA’s salary cap, unlike the NBA’s, has forced difficult decisions. General managers need to know how the WNBA will handle the upcoming expansion drafts, starting with Portland and Toronto.

Coaches like Cheryl Reeve, Sandy Brondello, and Becky Hammon will be impacted by the new collective bargaining agreement. This agreement will influence their jobs, including prioritization rules, roster size, and team building. The improvement in refereeing is also an important point for the coaches. Reeve, Brondello, and Hammon advocate for the empowerment of the players and have witnessed difficult times in the league. They seek for the WNBA to not only be financially stable, but also to continue its growth.