Adam Silver Confirms Agreement in the WNBA Despite Tensions
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has assured that a new collective bargaining agreement will be reached with the WNBA players. However, he acknowledged the need to repair relationships following recent criticism directed at Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. Tensions reached a boiling point last week when Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier expressed strong criticism of the league’s leadership. These statements threatened to overshadow the WNBA Finals between Las Vegas and Phoenix.Silver highlighted that the WNBA is experiencing challenges inherent to growth, especially at a crucial moment like the Finals. He emphasized the importance of celebrating the current game, while preparing to negotiate a new collective agreement with the players. Commissioner Engelbert has also expressed confidence that a new agreement will be reached, although the October 31 deadline may not be met. Negotiators from the league and the players’ association are expected to meet soon. The players are seeking significant changes following the notable growth of the WNBA in recent seasons, and some have expressed their frustration with Engelbert, although not all with the same intensity as Collier. Silver spoke at NBC Sports headquarters to discuss the network’s return to broadcasting the league this season. NBC will also televise the WNBA Finals in 2026. Derek Fisher, former Lakers player and former president of the Basketball Players Association, commented that it is unusual to see expressions like Collier’s during negotiations, but understood the reasons.There are issues we must address with our players, not only economic, but also relational. I trust 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 will be reached. “We will come to an agreement with the players,” he stated. “There is still a lot of work to be done, but of course we will reach a new collective bargaining agreement.” Fisher senses that the WNBA players feel they haven’t been valued enough and that there is a disconnect with the league’s management. Fisher also added that players like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have accelerated the growth of the league, and that current players do not want the situations of the past to be repeated.It’s not normal, but those were the feelings many times. Until an agreement is reached, there’s a very adversarial nature.
Derek Fisher
