Adam Silver Confirms WNBA CBA Agreement, Acknowledges Tensions and Growth

4 Min Read

Adam Silver Confirms a New Collective Bargaining Agreement 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 certain tensions in the relationships, following recent criticism directed at Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. These tensions reached their peak last week when Napheesa Collier, a Minnesota player, expressed strong criticism of the league’s leadership. These statements threatened to overshadow the WNBA Finals between Las Vegas and Phoenix, which began shortly after.

There’s no question that the WNBA is experiencing growing pains, and it’s unfortunate that this is happening right when the most important games, their Finals, are being played. We’ve had two fantastic games so far, and we want to celebrate the game right now, and then we have to sit down with the players and negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement.

Adam Silver
Engelbert has also expressed his confidence that a new agreement will be reached, although not necessarily before the October 31 deadline. Negotiators from the league and the players’ association were expected to meet during the week. The players are seeking significant changes, driven by the enormous growth of the WNBA in recent seasons. 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 problems we must address with our players, not just economic ones. There are also relationship problems. 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 made these statements at NBC Sports headquarters, where the network’s return to broadcasting the league this season was discussed. The WNBA Finals will also be televised in 2026. Derek Fisher, former Lakers player and former president of the National Basketball Players Association, commented on the situation. Fisher experienced a similar situation in 2011, when an agreement was not reached in time and a lockout reduced the season to 66 games. He explained that, although it is rare to see someone express themselves as Collier did during the negotiations, he understood the reasons.

It’s not the norm, but those were the feelings many times. Whenever you’re in the heat of high-stakes negotiations and conversations, sometimes it gets to the level of distrust, misunderstandings due to poor communication. But, ultimately, until you reach an agreement, there’s a very adversarial nature until you come back together.

Derek Fisher
Silver insisted that an agreement would be reached.

We will reach an agreement with the players. There is much work to be done, but, of course, we will achieve a new collective bargaining agreement.

Adam Silver
Fisher suggested that WNBA players feel they haven’t been valued enough and that there is a disconnect with the league’s management. Fisher stated that the league could have advanced more rapidly. He pointed out that the arrival of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese has re-accelerated growth, but emphasized that the league has always been special and that the players seek to ensure that situations from the past are not repeated.
Share This Article
Hola, estoy aquí para ayudarte con esta noticia!
Exit mobile version