Adam Silver Confident in New Labor Agreement for the WNBA Despite Tensions
STAMFORD, Conn. – NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has expressed confidence that a new collective bargaining agreement will be reached with the WNBA players, although he acknowledged the existence of relationship issues that must be addressed following recent criticism directed at Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. These tensions reached a boiling point last week when Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier declared that the league has “the worst leadership in the world.” These statements threatened to overshadow the WNBA Finals between Las Vegas and Phoenix, which began days later.Engelbert has also stated that a new agreement will be reached, 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 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 runner-up in the league’s MVP voting.“There’s no question the WNBA is experiencing growing pains, and it’s unfortunate that this is happening right as their most important games and Finals are underway,” Silver said on Monday. “We’ve had two fantastic games so far and we want to celebrate the game at this moment, and then we have to sit down with the players and negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement.”
Adam Silver
Silver made these statements at the 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, was president of the National Basketball Players Association in 2011, when the league and the union failed to reach an agreement on time, resulting in a lockout that reduced the season to 66 games. Fisher commented that it was unusual to see someone express themselves as Collier did during the negotiations, but understood the reason.“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,” Silver said. “There are also relationship issues. I am confident that we can solve them over time and that this league can continue on the upward trajectory it is currently on.”
Adam Silver
Silver insisted that an agreement would be reached.“It’s not normal, but those were the feelings many times,” said Fisher, who was also a coach in the WNBA and will be one of the NBA game analysts on NBC.
Derek Fisher
Fisher added that he perceives that WNBA players feel they have not been valued enough and that there is a disconnect with the league’s management.“We will reach an agreement with the players,” he stated. “There is still much work to be done, but, of course, we will achieve a new collective bargaining agreement.”
Adam Silver
