Plum, Stewart raise concerns over WNBPA’s handling of CBA talks

WNBPA Executive Committee Members kelsey plum And Breanna Stewart Wrote a three-page letter to players union executive director Terry Jackson on Monday expressing serious concerns about “how the PA is handling the current negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement,” including “the lack of adequate player participation in the process.”

In private communications, which were obtained by ESPN on Tuesday, Plum — the union’s first vice president — and Stewart — a vice president — requested “a changed dynamic between our PA administrators and players” and said, “We don’t feel like we have an adequate seat at the table in these negotiations.”

According to sources, to address the issues raised by Stewart and Plum, as well as the results of a players’ union survey sent out in recent days, the union held a call with its players on Tuesday evening, asking players for their thoughts about the league’s latest CBA proposal.

The union declined to comment when contacted by ESPN.

Jackson shared the letter with the executive committee earlier Tuesday, sources said. It is unclear whether the rest of the seven-player executive committee agreed with Plum and Stewart’s sentiments on WNBPA leadership, or whether they were informed before the letter was sent. Sources have indicated that some members are satisfied with the conduct of the union negotiations.

This letter was sent about a week ago League gave date of March 10 to WNBPA Last month to try to complete the term sheet for a new CBA. The 2026 regular season is scheduled to begin on May 8, but before then, the league will have to conduct a college draft (currently scheduled for April 13), a two-team expansion draft and free agency for more than 100 players.

The letter begins with Plum and Stewart expressing “immense gratitude” for Jackson’s leadership of the players’ union over the past decade and the results achieved over that period, saying they believe she wants what is best for players.

“But we are disappointed that we have not made more progress as we approach the March 10 deadline,” Stewart and Plum continue, “and we believe this is largely the result of a breakdown in communication between you and the executive committee and the players.”

The WNBPA opted out of the previous CBA nearly 17 months ago, in October 2024, and negotiations have intensified over the past eight months.

But Stewart and Plum say they have “been aware of the details of these negotiations for less than two months, having first seen a proposal in January” and that they have “repeatedly” asked PA staff for information but have yet to receive it.

“Despite one and a half years of talks, we have not engaged meaningfully,” the letter said.

Examples of information requested include: a detailed description of the WNBA’s expenses and revenues “to the best of our understanding”; A comparative analysis between the potential losses to players in a delayed or strike-shortened season versus the potential gains to be gained in a new CBA earned through continued negotiations; Clear details of how rookie salaries will be structured and how they increase over the course of a rookie contract; Information on distribution from OneTeam partners; and clear articulation of the roles and responsibilities of the executive committee.

“As we understand it, the role of the Executive Committee is to help shape the overall goals and priorities of the CBA and to serve as a bridge between your negotiating team and the broader membership – ultimately helping to secure player approval for any deal,” he wrote. “Without access to the information requested above, the Executive Committee cannot fulfill this role, and players cannot be expected to be meaningfully engaged in a process from which they have been largely excluded.”

Stewart and Plum requested an executive committee meeting within 24 hours to discuss the requested information, which turned into a meeting of all players.

Both also expressed disappointment in how the players’ union has acknowledged their concerns.

“When we and other players have attempted to express concerns about the negotiations, we have been made to feel as if we are working against the interests of the PA,” the letter reads. “Many other players in the league feel similar frustrations and have expressed it to us, but they are afraid or unable to speak out.”

Plum and Stewart stated that this dynamic between union administrators and players “has begun to create unnecessary division at a time in which a united front and informed player body is essential to achieving maximum benefits.”

ESPN previously reported that there has been vigorous debate within the executive committee in recent months over how to proceed with negotiations, with disagreements over whether or not to pursue a deal in line with the league’s latest proposal. In a player call last week, a source told ESPN that more than half of the player leadership confirmed their desire to keep a strike on the table. The WNBPA player body authorized the Executive Committee in December to call a strike “if necessary.”

Last week, ESPN reported that players would Receive revenue sharing payments for the first time in league historyAnd that the union will also distribute an additional $9.25 million to players from licensing revenue generated from jersey sales, trading cards, video games and other merchandise since 2020.

“When we and other players have attempted to express concerns about the negotiations, we have been made to feel as if we are working against the interests of the PA. Many other players around the league feel similar frustrations and have expressed them to us, but are afraid or unable to speak out.”

Excerpt of letter sent by WNBPA Executive Committee members Kelsey Plum and Breanna Stewart to Executive Director Terry Jackson

earlier on monday unmatched semi finalPlum told reporters that while the union should continue to negotiate a new CBA, she believes the offer the WNBPA has received so far from the WNBA is acceptable. denotes a “significant victory” with its revenue sharing component and that “a strike would be the worst thing for both sides.” Stewart later said he agreed with him.

Both reiterated those beliefs in the letter, saying they are “concerned about the impact of a stalemate or work stoppage on the overall financial health of the league” and believe the time has come to begin negotiating the league’s proposals when it comes to revenue sharing.

Both players were clear in Monday’s media availability that more dialogue is needed — the players said in the letter that they want the league to “examine its expenses and identify meaningful ways to reduce the amount that those expenses are borne by both the team and especially the players at the league level.”

His other listed priorities include agreeing to a cap “that, in expansion with revenue, allows for sustainable roster construction where a maximum number of players do not have to be cut to ensure a strong middle class,” a guaranteed housing model for all players, elimination of the origin rule, and meaningful benefits for retired players.

“We need to start being pragmatic in these negotiations and in how decisions are being made,” the letter says.

Last week, about a dozen Player agents sent a letter to JacksonExpressing “our collective preference for transparency and coordinated communications” to move forward in negotiations and the ability to review the league’s current proposal.