WNBA, Players Union Agree to CBA Extension
The WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) have agreed to a 30-day extension to continue negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement, averting a potential work stoppage.
The league offered the extension on Tuesday, and the union accepted today, October 31, 2024. The current CBA was set to expire tomorrow, November 1, and discussions have intensified in recent weeks as both sides seek a new deal. This extension provides crucial time to address player concerns regarding revenue sharing, salaries, and benefits – issues central to the league’s continued growth and competitiveness.
The agreement mirrors a similar 60-day extension granted in 2019, which ultimately led to the ratification of the current CBA in January 2020. Had an extension not been reached, options included continuing under the existing terms, a player strike, or a league lockout. Players are currently covered for pay and health insurance through April 30, 2026, and no immediate major league events are scheduled beyond preparations for the upcoming expansion draft for new teams in Portland and Toronto, following last December’s draft for Golden State. You can find more information about the league’s expansion plans on the official WNBA website.
Players opted out of the current CBA last year, seeking increased revenue sharing, higher salaries, improved benefits, and a more flexible salary cap. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert stated during the WNBA Finals that the league shares the players’ desire for a “transformative deal” with significant increases to salary and benefits, as reported by ESPN.
Negotiations will continue with a new deadline of November 30, as officials aim to finalize a deal that addresses the players’ concerns and ensures the continued success of the WNBA.
