Finally, a deal: WNBA and players reach CBA agreement
WNBA fans can breathe a sigh of relief. At long last, and at the last possible moment, the league and its players reached a verbal agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement.
More than 100 hours of negotiations over the past week between the players union and the league resulted in a handshake and a champagne toast. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert told reporters she expects the season to start on time.
Both sides called the deal historic. Exact details have not been confirmed, but early reports indicate the salary cap will rise to $7 million, up from $1.5 million in the previous CBA. Minimum salaries are expected to jump from below $70,000 to more than $300,000. Top salaries for megastars could reach $1.4 million, up from about $250,000.
And most importantly, those numbers will grow as the league’s revenue grows.
“For the first time, player salaries are tied to a truly meaningful share of league revenue,” union president Nneka Ogwumike said.
Revenue sharing was the most contentious point throughout the 17 months of negotiations. In the previous CBA, players shared in league revenue only if certain targets were met; otherwise, the salary cap increased by about 3% each year. That meant that as the league’s popularity surged, player salaries lagged behind.
Now, reports indicate players will receive close to 20% of league revenue. That still trails the roughly 50% split in major men’s leagues, but it marks a significant step forward and ensures players benefit from the league’s growth.
After a term sheet is finalized, the deal still must be ratified by the WNBA Board of Governors.
There is little time to waste before the May 8 season opener. First comes an expansion draft for the two incoming teams, Portland and Toronto. Then a blockbuster free agency period, with more than 100 veterans available, followed by the college draft on April 13. Much of that activity is expected to unfold in early to mid-April.
Training camp begins April 19, and the Sky open May 9 against the Portland Fire.