The WNBA and its players’ association met on Monday to continue ongoing negotiations toward a new collective bargaining agreement.
The two sides talked face-to-face in New York City at the NBA’s offices, the first such meeting in weeks. The league arrived to the meeting with no response to the WNBPA’s last proposal, a person with knowledge of what transpired told USA Today Sports.
“They volunteered that they did not have a proposal prepared at the top of the meeting,” Nneka Ogwumike told Front Office Sports. “That kind of set the tone for the conversation because we were hoping to hear otherwise.”
The sides instead spent time hammering out sentiments and philosophies around their last proposals, the person with knowledge of the meeting said. The WNBPA’s position, according to the same person, is that the league is not moving with a sense of urgency and have not shown up with a willingness to compromise.WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert attended Monday’s meeting along with members of the labor relations committee and New York and Liberty owners Clara Wu and Joe Tsai. From the player side, union vice president Alysha Clark, treasurer Brianna Turner and player representative Stefanie Dolson, player rep for the Washington Mystics, were in attendance as well.
Vice presidents and Unrivaled co-founders Napheesa Collier (travel issues) and Breanna Stewart did not attend in person and participated virtually. Los Angeles Sparks guard and vice president Kelsey Plum, who was traveling with Collier, also attended via video call. Secretary Elizabeth Williams was also on the call from Turkey, where she is playing this offseason.
Close to 40 players joined the meeting via zoom including the executive committee members.
The WNBA and players’ union have been at an impasse, extending the negotiation deadline twice before entering a ‘status quo’ period on Jan. 9.
Under ‘status quo,’ the working conditions established in the current CBA remain as is, allowing both sides to continue negotiating. The current agreement also prevents either side from engaging in a work stoppage without giving notice.
The main source of contention between the WNBA and the WNBPA continues to be revenue sharing. The players are reportedly prioritizing increased revenue sharing and salary structures. However, the sides differ on whether revenue sharing should be net or gross income, the percentage of the share and the salary cap.
Pending a CBA agreement by the WNBA and WNBPA, the 2026 WNBA season is scheduled to begin May 8. It will be the league’s 30th season.
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