WNBA Proposes Collective Bargaining Agreement with Significant Salary Increase
The WNBA has presented a new collective bargaining proposal that promises a substantial increase in revenue and salaries for players, according to sources close to the negotiations. The proposal, discussed in recent meetings, includes a revenue-sharing agreement and a maximum salary that would exceed $1.1 million, available for more than one player per team, with an annual increase. In addition, the league’s minimum salary would rise to over $220,000, with an average exceeding $460,000. These figures would take effect in the first year of the agreement, benefiting more than 180 players, and would increase during the term of the collective bargaining agreement.The current collective bargaining agreement was due to expire on October 31, but the WNBA and the players’ union agreed to extend negotiations until November 30 to allow more time to negotiate an agreement that could be revolutionary in terms of salaries.
The plan is a highly lucrative package that provides substantial increases compared to previous years and is designed to bring the negotiations to a quick conclusion. The players exercised their right to opt out of the collective bargaining agreement last year, hoping to obtain, among other things, a greater share of revenue, higher salaries, better benefits, and a more flexible salary cap. When the last collective agreement expired in 2019, both parties agreed to a 60-day extension, with a collective agreement finally ratified in January 2020.
