WNBA, players' union reach agreement in principle on new pact
New York — The WNBA and its players' union reached a verbal agreement on a transformational new collective bargaining agreement early Wednesday morning, both sides said. Specifics still need to be finalized over the next few weeks as lawyers on both sides work on the new CBA. A term sheet should be done in the next day or two.
It will then need to be voted on by the players and the league's Board of Governors. "I just want to say we have aligned on key elements of a new collective bargaining agreement together. We still need to finalize a formal term sheet, but the progress made in these discussions marks a transformative step forward for players and the league," WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said.
"It underscores a shared commitment to the continued growth of the game. So, we'll share additional details as they become available. "We just had some congratulations with each other," she said.
"It's been, obviously, a process, but we're very proud to be leading women's sports. These players are amazing, and we're going to have an amazing 30th season tipping off in May. " The deal is expected to greatly increase player salaries, with a good chance for million dollar players — a first for the league entering its 30th season, which would start on time.
It would increase salaries fourfold from last season. "For the first time, player salaries are tied to a truly meaningful share of league revenue, driving exponential growth in the salary cap, increasing average compensation beyond half a million dollars and raising the standard across facilities, staffing and support," union president Nneka Ogwumike said. The deal came after the two sides spent the past eight days in intense in-person negotiations that lasted more than 100 hours.