WNBA gamers have opted out of their present collective bargaining settlement and face the prospect of a piece stoppage if they do not negotiate a brand new take care of the league by the top of the 2025 season, in accordance with ESPN’s Chiney Ogwumike.
Citing union sources, Ogwumike mentioned the union’s govt committee and board of participant representatives voted Monday to decide out.
Gamers had till Nov. 1 to decide out of the present deal, which was set to run out in 2027 and can nonetheless be in impact subsequent season. The 2 sides have a yr to come back to an settlement.
The WNBA had a document yr by way of development in viewership and attendance. The gamers now desire a greater piece of the monetary pie — elevated salaries in addition to lifelong advantages together with retirement and household planning.
The gamers union additionally hopes to construct upon “skilled requirements” set by groups in New York, Seattle, Las Vegas and Phoenix, who all have state-of-the-art observe services, in accordance with Ogwumike.
The league not too long ago entered right into a historic 11-year media rights take care of Disney, Amazon Prime and NBC for $200 million a yr.
Gamers are ready to barter for so long as it takes, in accordance with Ogwumike, even when it means a piece stoppage.
New York Liberty star and gamers union vice chairman Breanna Stewart earlier this month char characterised communication with league nearly as good.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert mentioned at her state-of-the-league handle earlier than Sport 1 of the Finals that she has engaged with union management by the yr.
“I believe that given the transformation of the league that we have been working so exhausting on, constructing this long-term financial mannequin, we have already returned to the gamers by constitution, by growing playoff bonuses a pair years in the past by over 50%,” she mentioned. “So we’ll proceed to do this, and after we get to the bargaining desk we’ll proceed to speak concerning the points which are most essential to the gamers.”
