The WNBA and its players are at a crossroads. The league has experienced exponential growth over the past two years, and the players are seeking compensation for their efforts.
The collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is a document that details the league’s structure and rules, including free agency, salary structure, revenue sharing and the salary cap. The players and the league must agree on the document.
WNBA players opted out of the current CBA last October amid the new $2.2 billion media rights deal and the league’s unprecedented growth. The CBA is set to expire on Oct. 31, with both sides unable to reach an agreement on revenue sharing, which affects salary structures.
Before the All-Star Game began, the all-stars warmed up wearing shirts that said “Pay us what you owe us” to send a message to the league. Fans resonated with the message, chanting “Pay them” and holding signs as WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert presented the All-Star MVP award to Naphessa Collier. This highlighted the fight for higher salaries and more revenue sharing.
Two days earlier, over 40 players met with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, members of the CBA committee and league counsel to discuss the latest rounds of negotiations. The players felt the meeting did not advance ongoing talks.
Reactions online to the players’ statement on Saturday were mixed. There was support from fans, former players and league followers, but many others were upset. Some pointed out that the league has not been profitable since its inception in 1997 and reported losses of $40 million last year.
Others argued that since the NBA subsidizes the league, players should be grateful for their salaries. Some even criticized the All-Star Game and the apparent lack of effort, claiming it sent the wrong message for increasing their wages. The NBA and NFL have also faced criticism for showing little effort in their All-Star games, but people don’t mind them getting paid.
Currently, WNBA players receive 9.3 percent of the league’s income, the highest disparity among U.S. sports leagues. In contrast, NBA players earn between 49 and 51 percent of their league’s revenue, the NFL shares 48 percent, and NHL players get 50 percent. The players simply want a larger share of the revenue.
In 2022, the US Women’s National Soccer Team settled a lawsuit against the US Soccer Federation to address the pay gap between men’s and women’s soccer teams. The CBA, running through 2028, includes an equal split of World Cup prize money and $22 million in back pay for the women.
This agreement was historic because it finally addressed the pay disparity after years of protests. The women’s team has achieved decades of success, including multiple World Cup championships and Olympic medals that the men’s team has never seen.
The WNBA players and female athletes want to be paid and treated fairly. They have worked hard, gained recognition and increased interest in the league. It’s time for them to receive what they deserve, especially as the league continues to grow. These negotiations could set a precedent for years to come.
