WNBA, players’ union reach agreement in principle on new CBA

NEW YORK – After a lengthy labor battle, the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association have agreed in principle to a new collective bargaining agreement just 51 days before the start of the league’s 30th season.

“I just want to say that we have aligned together on the key elements of a new collective bargaining agreement. We still need to finalize a formal term sheet, but the progress made in these discussions is a transformative step forward for the players and the league,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said Wednesday morning. “This underlines the shared commitment to the continued development of the game. Therefore, we will share additional details as they become available.”

The deal comes 17 months after the players opted out of their previous agreement and five months after the previous deal was initially concluded, negotiations over which had at times become contentious.

But after a week of marathon bargaining sessions, the league and the players union reached a tentative agreement on a transformative deal that – for the first time in WNBA history – links its salary system to revenue growth, and is expected to offer the league’s first $1 million salary.

The agreement is anticipated to reflect the league’s skyrocketing growth and popularity, with viewership, attendance and investment reaching historic levels over the past few years.

Details of the agreement have not yet been shared, but it is also expected to enhance various player benefits, codify charter travel and establish other professional standards.

Association president Nneka Ogwumike said, “This is historic for the women’s game. I told Kathy this is not just for players who are entering the league or for players who are not already here.” “We’re really grateful to be able to reach an agreement. We’re proud of ourselves.”

The agreement is pending ratification by the players as well as the WNBA and the NBA Board of Governors.

This will be the sixth CBA in league history, following deals in 1999, 2003, 2008, 2014 and 2020.

Training camp is scheduled to begin on April 19, followed by pre-season games on April 25 and the regular season on May 8.