Silver Confirms WNBA CBA Agreement, Acknowledges Tensions and Growth

Adam Silver Confirms Labor 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, although he acknowledged the need to repair relations after recent criticism of Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. These tensions reached their peak last week, when Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier expressed strong criticism of the league’s leadership, which threatened to overshadow the WNBA Finals between Las Vegas and Phoenix.

“There’s no doubt the WNBA is experiencing growing pains, and it’s unfortunate that this is happening right when their most important games and Finals are underway,” Silver stated.

Adam Silver

Engelbert has also expressed his confidence in reaching a new agreement, although not necessarily before the October 31 deadline. The league and players’ association negotiators are expected to meet soon. 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 the league’s MVP runner-up.

“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. 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,” added Silver.

Adam Silver

Silver made these statements at 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 Basketball Players Association, recalled that in 2011, the league and the union failed to reach an agreement on time, which resulted in a lockout that reduced the season to 66 games. Fisher understood the reason why Collier expressed himself in that way.

“It’s not normal, but those were the feelings many times,” Fisher said, who has also been a coach in the WNBA.

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 obtain a new collective bargaining agreement,” he affirmed.

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.

“I think the W could have been at this point before. Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have re-accelerated the growth, but this league has always been a special league. And I think the players are just saying that we can’t allow some of the things that have taken place in our 27-year history. We don’t want to leave the girls of the next 20 years in the position we were in when we had no influence,” Fisher concluded.

Derek Fisher