WNBA Salary Dispute: Negotiations Stalled
Negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement between the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) and the WNBA are not progressing. Sources close to the situation revealed that the league’s latest proposal does not meet the players’ expectations, with only ten days until the current agreement expires. The league’s proposal, which had already been reported, includes a revenue-sharing component. This, combined with a base salary, would allow players to reach a maximum salary of over $1.1 million, an average of more than $460,000, and a minimum of more than $220,000. In comparison, the league minimum salary in 2025 was $66,079, while the supermax reached $249,244.The WNBPA’s main concern lies in the lack of adequate salary cap growth and player salaries in relation to the growth of the business. This has been a constant demand since they chose not to renew the current agreement in October 2024. The players are looking for a model similar to the NBA’s, where the salary cap is determined by basketball-related income (BRI). The league has defended its proposal, highlighting “guaranteed significant increases in the salary cap and a significant share in uncapped revenue, allowing player salaries to grow as the league’s business grows.” The union, for its part, has criticized the proposal, considering it a “cosmetic reform” that is not tied to the business and intentionally undervalues the players. In the current agreement, the salary cap increases annually at a fixed rate (3%), reaching $1,507,100 in 2025. In addition, a revenue sharing provision establishes direct payments to the players if the league reaches certain revenue targets, something that has not happened during the term of the agreement. Last month, both sides agreed to a 30-day extension, until November 30, of the current agreement, although both sides can terminate the agreement with 48 hours’ notice. The league and the union have continued to negotiate in recent weeks, with a meeting held on Wednesday.The players do not want a fixed salary system and, instead, want one based more directly on revenue.
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