Friday marked an important deadline for the WNBA and the players union, as it was the cutoff date for both sides to agree on a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). However, the negotiations failed to reach a resolution, with both parties still far apart on key issues. To avoid a lockout, the WNBA and the players union agreed to extend the deadline by another 30 days.
As the initial deadline approached, several other players’ unions released statements expressing solidarity with the WNBPA, including the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA). In a brief social media statement, the NBPA joined the NFLPA, MLBPA, and MLSPA in standing in solidarity with the WNBA’s players union amid the ongoing CBA talks.
“We stand with the women of the WNBPA as they work toward a collective bargaining agreement that reflects their value and impact both on and off the court,” the NBPA said. The union also posted an image to affirm their support for WNBA players.
The WNBA has recently experienced a period of record popularity. Game 1 of the WNBA Finals broke viewership records, and the semifinal series between the Las Vegas Aces and Indiana Fever became the most-watched semifinal series in WNBA playoff history, despite star player Caitlin Clark being sidelined due to injury.
However, tensions between the league and its players boiled over during the playoffs. Minnesota Lynx star and WNBPA vice president Napheesa Collier publicly criticized the league and Commissioner Cathy Engelbert over multiple grievances. Collier’s statement attracted widespread support from players across the league.
At the heart of the CBA negotiations is the issue of revenue sharing. Despite misconceptions and misinformation circulating on social media, WNBA players have consistently been clear about their expectations regarding potential revenue sharing and salary improvements.
If the players and the league fail to reach an agreement on a new CBA, the next step would be a lockout, which could significantly impact the league’s operations and fan engagement.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/nba-news-nbpa-statement-support-wnba-players-cba
