Jonquel Jones #35 of the New York Liberty celebrates with the 2024 WNBA Finals MVP trophy after defeating the Minnesota Lynx throughout Sport 5 of the 2024 WNBA Finals on October 20, 2024 in Brooklyn, New York.
David L. Nemec | Nationwide Basketball Affiliation | Getty Pictures
The WNBA gamers union has determined to decide out of the present collective bargaining settlement, two years earlier than its expiration. The league and gamers union had the choice to take action earlier than Nov. 1.
The early opt-out marks a vital juncture for the league. The WNBA signed a historic 11-year media rights deal value $200 million a 12 months.
The league had document attendance and viewership this 12 months that culminated within the WNBA Finals that noticed New York beat Minnesota in additional time on Sunday in a decisive fifth recreation.
“It is a defining second not only for the WNBA, however for all of us who imagine in progress,” WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike mentioned Monday. “The world has developed since 2020 and we can’t afford to face nonetheless. If we keep within the present settlement, we fall behind. It is a new period and we’re prepared to steer transformational change.”
The league has been skyrocketing, with 2024 marking an enormous breakthrough after years of serious and sustained progress. ESPN had big will increase in scores with viewership within the common season going up 170%, based on the union.
The present CBA will nonetheless cowl the 2025 season so the 2 sides have a 12 months to barter a brand new settlement.
“With the historic 2024 WNBA season now within the books, we look ahead to working along with the gamers and the WNBAPA on a brand new CBA that’s truthful for all and lays the inspiration for progress and success for years to return,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert mentioned.
Engelbert mentioned at her state-of-the-league handle earlier than Sport 1 of the Finals that with the brand new media rights deal in place and plenty of extra company companions the energy of the league is in an incredible spot. She additionally went on to say that the gamers have been getting much more advertising and marketing offers, making them into family names.
The union mentioned it hoped for a brand new financial mannequin that transforms the present system, which imposes arbitrary and restrictive caps on the worth and advantages of gamers. The gamers need an equity-based mannequin that grows and evolves with the league’s elevated enterprise success.
Different areas that the union want to see improved embrace: salaries, retirement advantages, higher youngster care and household planning advantages.
“This is not some sudden wake-up name. It is the end result of what we have been driving for over the past a number of seasons,” WNBPA vp Kelsey Plum mentioned. “We have performed a key function within the league’s historic progress and now we’re breaking free from the present system to demand full transparency and an equitable stake within the enterprise we have helped construct.”
