Nneka Ogwumike and other members of the WNBA players’ union executive committee expressed optimism about progress toward a new collective bargaining agreement following a lengthy nine-hour negotiation session on Wednesday night.
“We are eager to get back on the court. We’ve sensed the same sentiment from the other side,” stated Ogwumike, the union president, just before midnight. “However, we need to see tangible evidence of their commitment.”
The negotiations on Wednesday followed a marathon 12-hour meeting that commenced at 5 p.m. EDT the previous day. Both parties are scheduled to reconvene for further discussions on Thursday.
Reflecting on the recent talks, Ogwumike noted, “The initial day was intense, but we are encouraged by the progress made in the room, with the exchange of proposals.”
She disclosed that seven proposals have been shared between the sides in the last two days, with the union awaiting a response from the league. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert confirmed that a new offer was extended to the union after the players had adjourned for the night.
Engelbert emphasized the significance of the league’s proposal, describing it as a groundbreaking and transformative deal for the players, offering substantial improvements in salaries, benefits, and overall player welfare.
In the latest league proposal, the salary cap for the first year has been increased to $6.2 million US, up from $5.75 million in previous discussions, as reported by a confidential source familiar with the negotiations.
Last season, each team operated under a $1.5 million cap, with average player salaries at $120,000. According to the undisclosed source, player salaries are set to rise significantly, reaching $570,000 in the first year and $850,000 by the sixth year. The maximum salary could surpass $1.3 million in the initial year and near $2 million by the contract’s conclusion.
The executive committee engaged in negotiations comprises Breanna Stewart, Alysha Clark, and Brianna Turner, in addition to union executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson. The league delegation includes Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, league operations head Bethany Donaphin, and New York Liberty owner Clara Wu Tsai, with Connecticut Sun president Jen Rizzotti joining the negotiations on Wednesday.
Addressing key unresolved issues, Ogwumike highlighted revenue sharing and housing arrangements, as well as the implementation of a franchise tag and benefits for retired players.
The league had indicated that a preliminary labor agreement was required by Tuesday to uphold the season’s scheduled start.
“We must finalize this agreement promptly,” Engelbert emphasized in the early hours of Wednesday.
Ogwumike dismissed the significance of the Tuesday deadline, stating, “We have always negotiated in good faith and did not view the deadline as a priority.”
Upon reaching a tentative agreement, the league anticipates a few weeks to finalize the CBA. Subsequently, an expansion draft for new teams in Portland and Toronto would be conducted between April 1-6, as per a timetable obtained by the AP.
The process would continue with free agent qualifying offers, negotiation periods, and the official signing period in mid-April, leading to the commencement of training camps and the season on May 8, pending resolution on revenue sharing models. The union’s proposal had advocated for a gross revenue share, while the league’s recent offers exceed 70% of net revenue.