Ogwumike and the WNBA Union Ready for Salary Negotiations

Nneka Ogwumike Speaks Out for WNBA Players’ Salaries

Seattle Storm forward and WNBA players’ union president Nneka Ogwumike has addressed the issue of player salaries amid collective bargaining negotiations. The women’s basketball league is generating more revenue than ever, thanks to sponsorships and ticket sales, and a significant increase is expected with the 11-year media rights agreement, valued at around $200 million annually starting in 2026. However, the players’ salaries have not increased dramatically in recent years.

We have women here who know the business. We understand where our league comes from and where it’s going. And we are prepared. We want to be able to go out and represent ourselves and our value in the same way we do on the court, in our contracts, in our facilities, in the standards of the resources we have available.

Nneka Ogwumike

Ogwumike revealed that the players’ union has received a response from the league, which it considers a “good” step forward. In October, WNBA players opted not to renew their collective bargaining agreement, which still covers the 2025 season. The next step for the union is for the contracts to better reflect the growth of the league. The current collective bargaining agreement was signed before the 2020 season.

Everyone wants to go to the same place. Everyone has a different idea of how to get there. But it definitely starts with valuing the players in a way that makes sense for what we’re doing here, and also makes sense for the people who follow us and the fans who support us. We’ve seen a lot of growth recently, so we have to see that reflected in how we are compensated to continue offering them games like this every night.

Nneka Ogwumike

Ogwumike is eagerly awaiting the next meeting between the WNBPA and the league in the next 25 days. In the past, other players have expressed their willingness to miss games if negotiations do not lead to a salary structure they consider fair. Ogwumike thanks the support the players’ union has received before and during these negotiations.

I thank our players, our representatives, and the women who are speaking out about this, our advisory board, and the PA staff and what they are doing so that we can reach a successful and collaborative negotiation with the league.

Nneka Ogwumike