WNBA Labor Negotiations Extend as Revenue Sharing Remains Key Sticking Point
WNBA and WNBPA labor negotiations have been extended by 30 days, pushing the potential deadline for a work stoppage to November 30, as disagreements over revenue sharing continue to be the primary obstacle to a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The current CBA, which expires at the end of November, features an incremental revenue-sharing system that has never been triggered due to cumulative revenue targets not being met. Under the existing structure, only revenue exceeding specific growth targets is shared, with 70% going to the league and teams and 30% split between players and a marketing pool. However, players argue this system doesn’t adequately reflect the league’s recent financial growth, with their share of total revenue decreasing to an estimated 9.3% in 2022, down from 11.1% in 2019, according to a Bloomberg News analysis. This comes as the WNBA experiences a surge in popularity and revenue, driven by increased television viewership and sponsorships.
The league, led by WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, has proposed maintaining a similar system with a hard salary cap, emphasizing the need to incentivize investment from team owners and ensure the league’s “sustainability.” “We all agree we’re trying to return every dollar we possibly can to the players,” Engelbert stated, “but we also want to incentivize investment from owners. We want owners to have a viable business.” The league has reportedly proposed a supermax salary of around $850,000 and a veteran minimum of approximately $300,000 under the new proposal, a significant increase from current figures. The WNBPA is seeking a more direct revenue-sharing model, similar to the NBA, where player salaries are tied to a percentage of league revenue, and are supported by other player associations like the National Basketball Players Association.
Negotiations also center on transparency regarding league finances, with WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike expressing concerns about “educated estimations” due to a lack of access to detailed financial information. A resolution to these issues is critical, as a new CBA will significantly impact player compensation and the future financial structure of the rapidly growing WNBA. Officials stated they will continue negotiations in the coming weeks to reach an agreement before the November 30 deadline.
