07/17/25 07:08:00
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07/17 19:06 CDT WNBA players say league's proposal for new CBA falls short
after All-Star bargaining meeting
WNBA players say league's proposal for new CBA falls short after All-Star
bargaining meeting
By DOUG FEINBERG
AP Basketball Writer
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) --- Backed by what they said was their largest attendance
ever for collective bargaining negotiations, WNBA players met with the league
Thursday with the sides far apart in discussions for a new deal.
All-Stars Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese were among about 40
players, most wearing business suits, who took part in the first face-to-face
meeting featuring players since December.
Terri Carmichael Jackson, the executive director of the Women's National
Basketball Players Association, wouldn't say there was progress after the
meeting that lasted a couple hours, and the union put out a statement later
indicating that much of it is needed.
"The WNBA's response to our proposals fails to address the priorities we've
voiced from the day we opted out: a transformational CBA that delivers our
rightful share of the business that we've built, improves working conditions,
and ensures the success we create lifts both today's players and the
generations that follow," the union said.
Players opted out of the current CBA last October and are seeking a better
revenue sharing model, increased salaries, improved benefits, and a softer
salary cap.
The sides are far apart in preliminary discussions and agreed to another
meeting.
"I don't know that I'm going to say progress, but we had spirited
conversation," Jackson said.
If a deal isn't done by the end of October, some players, including Napheesa
Collier and Reese, have mentioned the potential of a walkout, which could
present some immediate problems. The league has two new teams in Portland and
Toronto starting next season and the expansion draft has typically been in
December. Free agency usually starts in January.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert told The Associated Press after the meeting
that both sides are in listening mode.
"We're going back and forth on issues," she said. "We know what's important to
the players. We know what's important to the owners and we're striking the
right balance."
The league has never lost a game to a work stoppage since it started in 1997.
Jackson said the sides would eventually get to a new deal, even if they may not
have gotten any closer to it Thursday.
"I think we're on track to get back to meeting, and to engaging in
conversations that will lead us to a CBA," she said.
Jackson was particularly impressed by the number of young stars such as Clark
who have helped spark unprecedented growth across nearly every business metric
from attendance and viewership.
There's also the new $2.2 billion media rights deal that will start next season
and the league plans to expand to 18 teams by 2030, with each of the three new
teams paying $250 million expansion fee.
"This business is booming -- media rights, ratings, revenue, team valuations,
expansion fees, attendance, and ticket sales -- are all up in historic
fashion," the union statement said. "But short-changing the working women who
make this business possible stalls growth. The only thing more unsustainable
than the current system is pretending it can go on forever."
Players sent the league an initial proposal in February that the league finally
responded to last month. But both sides said they are still confident a deal
can be reached
"I think we have plenty of time," Jackson said.
___
AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
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