Cathy Engelbert was thrown into the deep end when she took over as commissioner of the WNBA on May 15, 2019. And now, she’s in a similar conundrum. Negotiations between the Players Association and the W have always been tough, but something is different this time. The women’s game has undergone a meteoric rise over the last couple of years, and the athletes want their fair share!
However, this unsure phase for the league has created an epidemic of sorts. Players aren’t willing to commit to a team for multiple years, and everyone’s looking out for that inevitable payday. According to analysts, however, this phenomenon has led to massive uncertainties for the teams in the WNBA.
On The Sports Gossip Show, show hosts Madeline and Charlotte welcomed ESPN reporter Elle Duncan’s commentary. They discussed the implications of the ongoing CBA negotiations, and how it may affect the upcoming 2025 season. “Seventy percent of the WNBA players, because of the impending CBA, are on one-year deals. I keep calling this a ‘smoke-em if you got-em year.’” Duncan said, weighing in on the conundrum. And it makes sense!
With the new media rights deal, and the sudden burst of attention that women’s basketball is getting, the 2026 draft class might be walking into a league with a drastically different pay scale. Because of their unwillingness to commit, teams will just have to push for immediate success and hope for the best!
Apr 15, 2024; Brooklyn, NY, USA; WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert speaks before the 2024 WNBA Draft at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Duncan agreed. “We might see just a mass exodus and all these, like just monumental changes coming up after this season. So this is going to be one of those seasons where it’s like all in because you don’t know what any of these teams are gonna look like next year.” This situation, while difficult, makes sense from both sides. Teams, if they do not get stability, will look for immediate deliverables, while players will continue to look out for their well-being.
However, it’s best that we clarify what exactly is happening on the players’ end. The league is undergoing a period of major change, and the players are demanding their fair share!
What are the players saying to Cathy Engelbert and the WNBA?
We’ve seen this all play out before. The WNBA opted out of their previous Collective Bargaining Agreement in 2018, right before Cathy Engelbert got handed the keys to the kingdom. But now? There is a lot more at stake here.
In July 2024, the WNBA announced a new 11 year/$2.2 billion deal, which was ground-breaking for women’s basketball. It signaled the start of a new era, one where the W was finally being appreciated. Not to mention, the previous years’ viewership numbers were simply outstanding!
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JUNE 16: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever and Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky look on during a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 16, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Nneka Ogwumike, the president of the WNBPA, called it a defining moment for the progress of the league. The Seattle Storm superstar talked about the decision that the players have made, and its intended implications. “Opting out isn’t just about bigger paychecks — it’s about claiming our rightful share of the business we’ve built, improving working conditions, and securing a future where the success we create benefits today’s players and the generations to come.” She said.
Obviously, the league has come a long way. Players get to travel in private jets now, and fans are quite invested in the sport. The negotiations between WNBPA and the league haven’t been publicly disclosed, but we’re sure that whatever contract materializes will be for the best of both parties!
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