The Future of the WNBA at the Negotiation Table: Perspectives from Management
In the world of professional sports, labor negotiations are a complex field. In the WNBA, commissioner Cathy Engelbert, along with NBA commissioner Adam Silver, and team owners, seek to balance the league’s growth with the well-being of the players. However, the Players Association has adopted a firmer stance, questioning the league’s negotiation tactics and Engelbert’s direction, especially by Napheesa Collier, a member of the association’s executive committee.
The WNBA is experiencing a moment of expansion and financial prosperity, with rising franchise valuations, a new television deal starting in 2026, and expansion to 18 teams by 2030. The league seeks to consolidate its financial growth to ensure profitability, while rewarding the players, who are the driving force behind this success.
The original deadline for the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) of October 31 was extended by 30 days, until the end of November.Cathy Engelbert assumed the role of WNBA commissioner in July 2019, right in the middle of the previous CBA negotiations. Six years later, the league has experienced remarkable growth, including a media rights deal for $2.2 billion, franchise valuations reaching hundreds of millions, and an expansion to 18 teams by 2030. However, the last months of her tenure have been challenging, with criticism of the league and its leadership.
Engelbert is now at the negotiating table with the task of achieving a “transformative” agreement that not only significantly increases the salaries and compensation of the players, but also incentivizes the continued investment of the owners and ensures the long-term viability of the league.
Alofoke Deportes
Once the agreement is completed, the question of Engelbert’s continuity as commissioner will arise, a decision that may not depend solely on her.Adam Silver, NBA commissioner, has been involved in the development of the WNBA since its beginnings in the 1990s. His goal is for the WNBA to operate independently under the umbrella of the NBA. 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 women’s league.
This situation could put pressure on the working relationship between Silver and Engelbert, as evidenced in situations like that of the Connecticut Sun, where the possible sale or relocation of the franchise is discussed.
Silver, like his predecessor David Stern, seeks for the WNBA to be financially self-sufficient as an integral part of the NBA’s global brand. This CBA could define Silver’s legacy in the WNBA.
The Owners and the Financial Future of the WNBA
WNBA owners are divided into two categories: millionaires and billionaires. Joe Tsai, owner of the New York Liberty along with his wife Clara Wu Tsai, has demonstrated a strong investment in the franchise. Other owners like Joe Lacob (Golden State Valkyries), Mark Davis (Las Vegas Aces), and Mat Ishbia (Phoenix) share this investment vision, with teams playing in large arenas and boasting state-of-the-art facilities.
These owners, who also own NBA teams or other professional sports, might be more willing to offer players a larger share of the revenue, relying on continued profits. They see the WNBA as a long-term investment.Independent owners like the Seattle Storm and the Connecticut Sun played a key role in the survival of the WNBA in its early years. These independent owners, now outnumbered by NBA owners, focus on controlling expenses and maintaining a level playing field. They also have a strong argument for recouping losses incurred when WNBA revenue was not as strong.
Despite this, they have not stopped investing, as demonstrated by the construction of the second WNBA-specific training facility by the Storm.After the successful debut season of the Valkyries, there are five new teams waiting. The most recent expansion franchises (Detroit, Cleveland, and Philadelphia) paid $250 million, not including investment in training facilities. Expansion teams are eagerly awaiting a new CBA, especially the Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo, which will debut in 2026.
The rules for the next two-team expansion draft must be collectively bargained, so these franchises will not be able to build their rosters until a new agreement is reached.
The Impact of the CBA on General Managers, Coaches, and the Future of the WNBA
Although general managers are not directly represented in CBA negotiations, the rules that are established will impact team construction and financial distribution between owners and players. Executives expect to gain greater flexibility with the new agreement.
The WNBA’s salary cap has generated difficult decisions. The new CBA will need to address how the upcoming expansion drafts will be handled, starting with Portland and Toronto.Coaches like Cheryl Reeve, Sandy Brondello, and Becky Hammon will be impacted by the new CBA, including decisions on arbitration, prioritization, and roster size. The agreement will affect their jobs in many ways.
The upcoming CBA is crucial for this group of coaches and for all WNBA coaches. If improvements in officiating are addressed in the CBA, that will be of great importance to the coaches.
These coaches are also advocates for women’s empowerment and want the players to be respected. They want the WNBA to be financially stable and to continue growing.
