WNBA Players Reject League’s First CBA Offer
The WNBA’s first collective bargaining agreement (CBA) proposal has landed, and players are far from impressed.
Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally, who also serves as a union rep, didn’t mince words. She called the offer a “slap in the face,” expressing frustration that while the league is growing in size and value, the benefits aren’t reaching the players.
“I love to see the league growing… but how cool would it also be to have a little bit of expansion on the rosters?” Sabally told reporters Tuesday.
Her criticism came just a day after the WNBA announced three new expansion teams, which will bring the league to 18 franchises by 2030.
Union: “We Built This Business”
According to Front Office Sports, the WNBA sent the CBA proposal to the union last week, their first formal offer. But insiders say the proposal doesn’t seriously address the players’ demands, especially compensation and roster structure.
Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningham and Sydney Colson echoed the sentiment in a public statement before a nationally televised game against the Aces:
“As the league grows, it’s time for a CBA that reflects our true value,” Cunningham said. “We are fighting for a fair share of the business that we built.”
Read More: 10 Cities the WNBA Should Expand To
Money on the Table
The timing of the players’ backlash is no coincidence. The WNBA just inked a massive $2.2 billion media rights deal, and insiders believe that number could grow to nearly $3 billion. On top of that, the league has collected $250 million in expansion fees from new teams.
Yet, despite this influx of cash, players are pushing back against stagnant pay and prize structures. Caitlin Clark, during a celebratory Instagram Live after Indiana’s Commissioner’s Cup win, called out the absurdity of current prize distributions.
“We get more for [the Commissioner’s Cup] than you do if you’re a [WNBA champion]. Makes no sense. Someone tell Cathy [Engelbert] to help us out,” Clark said.
According to the current CBA, players on the Cup-winning team earn $30,000, while championship winners only receive $11,356 each.
With over 80% of the league hitting free agency next year, players are pushing harder than ever for a deal that reflects their worth, and they’re making it clear that lowball offers won’t cut it.
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