WNBA: Collective bargaining agreement proposal includes salary increase and revenue sharing
The WNBA has presented a new collective bargaining agreement proposal that promises significant changes for the players, according to sources close to the negotiations. This proposal includes a revenue sharing and a considerable increase in salaries. The maximum salary, which could exceed $1.1 million, would be available to more than one player per team, and would increase annually. In addition, the league minimum salary would increase to over $220,000, with an average exceeding $460,000. These figures would come into effect in the first year of the agreement for more than 180 players and would increase throughout the collective bargaining agreement. The current collective bargaining agreement expired on October 31, but the WNBA and the players’ union agreed to extend negotiations until November 30 to have more time to negotiate an agreement that would be revolutionary in terms of salaries for the players. The players exercised their right to terminate the current collective bargaining agreement last year, hoping to obtain, among other things, a greater distribution 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.I am very optimistic that we will achieve something that is transformative.
Cathy Engelbert, WNBA commissioner
