Adam Silver Confirms Negotiations for a New Deal 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 issues in the relationships, following recent criticism directed at Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. Tension reached its peak last week when Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier expressed strong criticism of the league’s leadership. These comments threatened to overshadow the WNBA Finals between Las Vegas and Phoenix, which began shortly after.Silver spoke from the NBC Sports headquarters, where the network’s return to broadcasting the league this season was discussed, including the broadcast of the WNBA Finals in 2026. Derek Fisher, former Lakers player and former president of the National Basketball Players Association, commented that it is unusual to see someone express themselves as Collier did during the negotiations, but he understood the reason behind it. Fisher, who has also been a coach in the WNBA and will be an analyst for NBC, added:There are issues that we must address with our players, not just economic ones. There are also relationship issues. I trust that we can solve them over time and that this league can continue on the growth trajectory it has right now.
Adam Silver
Silver assured that an agreement will be reached. Fisher indicated that he perceives that WNBA players feel they haven’t been valued enough and that there is a disconnect with the league’s management. Fisher added that the league could have advanced more rapidly. The players, according to Fisher, are determined not to allow situations from the past to be repeated, seeking to ensure a better future for new generations.When you’re in the middle of high-level negotiations and discussions, sometimes you reach a level of distrust, misunderstandings due to poor communication. But, ultimately, until an agreement is reached, there’s a very adversarial nature.
Derek Fisher
